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So what is the right picture of success? How do we get started on the correct pathway? I believe that two things are required for this journey: 1) the right picture of success, 2) the right principles for getting there.

The picture for success isn’t the same for any two people because we are all creatively different. However, the process is the same for all people. This reason lies within the fact there are universal principles that do not change.

Consider this definition of success: Success is….

• Knowing your purpose in life
• Growing to reach your maximum potential
• Sowing seeds that benefit others

You can see by this definition of success that it is more about the journey rather than the destination. You will never exhaust your capacity to grow toward your potential or run out of opportunities to help others. When you see success as a journey, you will never have a problem of trying to arrive at an elusive destination. Consider the following insights on Growing to your potential.

Concentrate on one main goal – No person has ever reached their potential by stretching themselves in 20 different directions. Reaching your potential requires focused intentionality. Once you have decided where to focus your energy, you now need to decide what you will give up. You cannot reach your full potential until you leave something behind. What is it?

Concentrate on continual improvement – David Glass one time chief Executive Officer for Walmart was asked who he admired the most. His answer was Walmart founder Sam Walton. He stated, “There’s never been a day in his life, since he has known him that he didn’t improve in some way.” Each day you can become a little bit better than you were yesterday. Small deliberate steps will move you closer to your potential.

Forget the past – Jack Hayford once stated, “The past is a dead issue, and we cannot gain any momentum moving forward toward tomorrow if we are dragging the past behind us.” For those who desire to live in the past, let me remind you that yesterday ended at midnight. Think of Booker T. Washington – born into slavery; Helen Keller – blind; Franklin D. Roosevelt – Polo. It is more about what you overcome!

Focus on the future – Your potential lies before you – whether you are 8, 18, 48, or 80 years of age you have room to improve yourself. You can become better tomorrow than today. The old proverb states; “He who does not look ahead remains behind!”

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give!

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