Before you can start on the path to success, you must decide for yourself what success looks like to you.
Most people define success in terms of position or material goods. Unfortunately, both are ephemeral and subject to the whims of fate.
Perhaps a better definition of success would be something like the following: Success is being healthy, having peace of mind, being comfortable in your own skin, having stable reciprocal relationships, and having the freedom of action that being debt-free, mobile, and with multiple independent and diversified sources of income.
Next comes the four fundamental questions which form the basis of the ancient Greek aphorism "know thyself."
- Who are you presently?
- Where are you presently?
- Where would you like to go?
- Who might you want on your journey?
How?
There is no doubt that one must be able to quantify and measure some key metric in order to illustrate progress and provide further motivation. And while it is generally good to have goals, they are ephemeral and subject to the vagaries of fate.
How much better might it be to develop "habits" that will serve us even if our goals prove illusory and unobtainable?
Starting with healthy habits that ensure we are properly hydrated, have an appropriate diet, get adequate sleep, exercise daily, and take time to meditate and give thanks.
How about changing your worldview?
- Realizing you ALWAYS have a choice, even if that choice is to do nothing.
- Becoming self-reliant to the greatest extent possible and practical.
- Knowing that you cannot control the behavior of others, having few expectations of others. Not being surprised when others fail to meet their obligations or do not rise to your own ethical code of morality.
- Adopting a code of conduct that you are polite, professional, and prepared to deal with the situation at hand.
- Embarking on a journey of continuous self-education. Considering a course in martial arts to increase your mental and physical core strengths. Considering a course in stand-up comedy to help you communicate better and deal with hecklers. Considering a course that provides education and entertainment while avoiding the compulsion to become a slave to your electronic devices.
- Decluttering your life to keep the possessions you own from owning you.
- Realizing that decisions are made in the subconscious and rationalized in the conscious mind. Consider that procrastination may actually be an attempt to prioritize the actions in your life; such as valuing immediate gratification over the work that will yield long-term results.
Start now!
Don't wait until tomorrow or some other symbolic day. Start now because, in this crazy or chaotic world, tomorrow might never come or circumstances will impede your desires.
Be well, be safe, be vigilant, be productive, be at one with yourself and your environment.