Finding the Secret!

Everyone wants to know what the secret to success is. Millions of dollars are spent each year trying to figure out some extraordinary formula that guarantees success. I have personally read a number of books trying to ascertain what the real secret is. After more than 50 years of searching, I’ve finally figured it out. There is a secret, but it’s not out there somewhere. The secret is buried deep within ourselves. We must each find our own secret. It is possible to follow a guide to our secret, but that guide can only help you navigate your path. The guide will not know when you’ve reached your secret, only you will know that.

So what was the secret to my success? My secret was a very simple, uncomplicated secret. It is the realization that I am the only person who has the right to define me and my path to success. Upon accepting this self-truth, I discovered I am an uncomplicated human being with very straightforward beliefs and expectations. I believe that my success is derived from my work ethic and that work ethic is best stated as “anything worth doing is worth doing well.” Therefore, success is a product of my effort and the quality of the outcomes I produce.

My success is not dependent upon the acceptance of my work by anyone but me. If another person is not pleased with what I have done, I will certainly reflect on what I have done and I may choose to make improvements or modifications, but ultimately, the only qualifier for my success is that I accept that the quality of my work meets the expectations that I have established for myself. I realize that I am my own worst critic and that I may over analyze the work I have done. I may be too perfectionistic on many tasks and thus may take too long to complete some. But, if I am to consider myself successful, it is my expectation that I will do the best job I possibly can.

Success to me is not measured by wealth. It is not measured by position or status. Success is measured by the value I add to the world in which I live. I follow a simple philosophy. Leave each place I go better than I found it when I first arrived. In order to do this, I have to be cognizant of what condition each place is in. To attain this awareness requires me to be open, observant, aware of my biases, and above all, honest. This may seem like I’m getting very complicated here, but I still believe this is all very simple. Give my best effort in doing the best work I can and make each experience an improvement for everyone. This is my secret to success. What’s yours?