What does it really take to be successful? But before we answer this question, what is the true definition of success?
One thing is certain, being rich alone doesn’t make you successful, being famous doesn’t make you successful, and of course having to go to a job you don’t like every day doesn’t make you successful either, even if you’re the CEO of that job.
So what does make you successful?
Antony Robins said, “Success is doing what you want to do, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, as much as you want.”
We all know that’s true, but I would add to this that you need to be doing all these while being happy. I know of some individuals who were doing what they wanted, when they wanted and as much as they wanted, but ended up committing suicide. Yes, that’s right.
Some people have success, fortune and fame just as they had wanted, yet they are miserable, or something is desperately missing in their life.
What could that be?
This post will attempt to answer such question, so keep reading and share your thoughts on this subject at the end this post.
Where Does True Success Really Come From?
While money and doing what you want when you want is most definitely part of being successful it’s NOT all it takes to make you successful.
As I mentioned above, I’ve heard of and known some people who seemed to have it all, yet, they either ended their lives or fell into drug, depression and the like. Others didn’t do any of such things, but admitted not to be fully happy.
If you do what you want, when you want, and have all the money you’d ever need and want, but are not happy, you’re not successful.
If this is you, it might be because you are missing those 5 vital fundamental things to be truly successful and happy. Let’s what they are.
1- Being Grateful
In order to be grateful for what you have, first you need to become aware of what you have. Many such unhappy fortunate people are walking around like zombies who don’t even stop for a minute during the course of a day to open their eyes and realize how fortunate they really are. They tend to take things for granted. Just something they’ve gotten used to.
Only once they’ve come to this realization, will they be able to start being grateful. But you can’t fake being grateful – it needs to come from inside. Being grateful is a feeling and a realization of what was given to you. Being grateful gives you a well being sensation once you truly get it.
In order to be truly successful, you need to be grateful.
2- Being Thankful
Now some people may feel that being thankful is the same thing as being grateful, but there is a simple difference between the two.
No one could even start being thankful if they’re not grateful to start with. Being grateful comes first – it’s the realization of all the blessings of life that you enjoy. Being thankful is saying how grateful you are.
No matter what God you believe in, you need to be aware of a superior power in order to be thankful. May it be called God or Universe, or whatever else you believe in. You need to be thankful to the superior force that is giving you what you have. This is what we also call prayer.
I know some people think that a prayer is a request or a plea when things go wrong, but that’s wrong. A prayer doesn’t have to be a request or something you say only when you are in a desperate situation. A prayer is also saying thanks on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, if you don’t believe in any type of force above that is bigger than you, it will be very difficult for you to be truly thankful for anything, because they would be no one to say thanks to.
In order to be truly successful, you need to be thankful.
3- Being Truthful
I’ve been watching a very interesting French documentary/show lately about some “successful”, yet, somehow unhappy people. I’ve been watching this to study and analyze such people, which gives me some insights as a coach.
One of the reasons that I found to be a problem which prevented those people from being happy, thus fully successful in spite of their fame and fortune, was that they were never allowed to be “truthful” with whom there really were as a person.
Back in the 50’s 60’ and even 70’s a lot of show business people were totally “created” and “molded” just the same as any other “product”, for the public, and therefore, denied being who they really were.
For example, they may have had to hide their whole family. If you were a famous sexy singer it didn’t “look good”, back then, to reveal that you had a wife and children.
If something happened to you such as a benign accident, it was blown up out of proportion and you may have had to act and pretend to be more hurt then you really were for the sake of publicity.
There are tons of stories like this. Pretending for the sake of fame and appearances, while forsaking the truth, which in the end, sometimes, resulted in the destruction of the individual who started to suffocate in those lies. We can only be thankful that this business has become more truthful than it used to be, at least.
However, back then, a huge part of the life of those people was just a big lie. They were lying to people, and they knew it. The worst thing is that they had to do it whether they liked it or not. It was part of the package. But it wasn’t without consequences. These huge lies, this lack of truthfulness affected their mind and got the best out of them, eventually.
It’s the same thing with us today. We need to be truthful with ourselves, and with others. If you work online, are you like those show business people, trying to put up a show, creating someone you’re not? Do you lie to your potential clients and/or customers? Do you make up false success stories in order to sell?
In order to be truly successful you need to be truthful.
4- Being Helpful to Others
It’s sad that some people don’t realize that they won’t truly be happy unless they help some else to get what they have, or be where they are.
One thing that wealth will give you is the power to help, and when you help others it makes you feel good. It’s just a rule of life, so to speak.
This works better than any miracle pill you could ever swallow. If you are a “normal” human being, with “normal” human feelings, helping others will make you happy, give you a sense of purpose, and truly make you feel successful.
A lot of unhappy rich and wealthy people who seem to have it all, are unhappy become they don’t do anything for anyone. Being self-centered doesn’t bring happiness.
In order to be truly successful you need to be helping others
4 – Giving Back
Now, giving back is slightly different than helping others. Giving back goes above and beyond just helping other people around you – it’s being useful to society as a whole.
Giving back will prevent you to become self centered, selfish and depressed. Giving back will help you to be happier while giving you a tremendous sense of purpose.
If you have fame and fortune there are many ways to give back to society. You could reach far and wide. Planet earth is the limit.
In order to be truly successful you need to give back.
If you are not as wealthy and successful as you would like to yet, just remember those 5 fundamental things you need to do in order to be truly successful when you become so, because if you don’t, no matter how much money, wealth and fame you may manage to have, you will not be truly happy and successful.
Over to you know… Let us know what you think about this subject.
I would have to say that Tony was spot on with that definition of being successful Sylviane with your addition of also being happy.
I know several people myself that would shout from the rooftops that they’re successful although in their eyes it’s because they have a lot of money. They aren’t grateful, they aren’t thankful, they most definitely aren’t truthful, they do give to others (charities) but don’t give back. I know for a fact they aren’t happy but they fake it really well.
I wish that everyone would just realize what they have to be thankful for. We take so much for granted and think how awful it is when things happen to others. Because it never happens to them they don’t get it. Sometimes that’s what it takes but I hate to see it come to that.
Wonderful post Sylviane and I would hope that everyone will have their aha moment after reading this one.
~Adrienne
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Hi Adrienne,
Ah I’m glad you gave that excellent example. This really proves that my article is right on!
When I study the cases of some wealthy people who are still so darn unhappy is because they don’t do any of the things that I mention here. It is no wonder they’re not happy, because money alone can’t bring happiness. But if you do the right things, then money is a great contributor to happiness.
They just don’t get it. It’s sad, but they pay the price for it too. And that price is way more costly than money.
Thanks for your input, Adrienne.
Hi Syvianne,
Love this blog post. Yes someone can have all the fame and fortune in the world and they are so depressed they end their life. Unbelievable but true.
Being grateful for God’s Grace is one of the most important things you can do especially when you’ve reached a high level of success.
In the Hebrew religion when you wake up in the morning you begin your prayers of gratitude for another day.
I was listening to one of the founders of the company I am with and he said he prayed to God to help deliver him from the life of poverty he was living in. He said he made a promise that if God would help him then he would forever be grateful and always find ways to help others less fortunate. I think that is beautiful.
Thanks for focusing on these very important 5 fundamental Things You Need to be Truly Successful.
Tonya
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Hi Tonya,
I’m so glad you liked this post.
What a great prayer that person did. Those are the kind of prayers that God answers, but then you better keep your promises of course.
It’s so easy to be happy as long as we want to take that selfishness out of us, and see how it feels to help others. And by being thankful it takes our mind out of any reason to be depressed about.
I have to say that I could never understand those people.
Thanks for your input, Tonya.
Hi Sylviane
That quote of Tony Robbins is my favorite one on success as to me it says exactly what I want.
I agree money in and of itself does not make us happy. But I have been rich and I have been broke. I know which I prefer. But you know when we had a lot of money I did not appreciate the things I had. I had an awesome lifestyle and took it for granted. Next time when I get it back I will be much more appreciative.
Yes we must be grateful and all the other things you said.
I also think having good health and relationships are as important as money.
A great post Sylviane
Sue
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Hi Sue,
I guess your example is the proof that a lot of people who have a lot of money just don’t know how to appreciate it, thus their lack of happiness. It’s a shame, don’t you think? And that’s what prevent them to be really happy in the first place.
I’m glad that you will be able to appreciate it now.
Thank you for sharing this with us, Sue.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
Hi Sylviane,
I agree with all your points mentioned that are needed to be successful, and I think without having these basic qualities, it can be tough for anyone.
While I personally love that definition of Anthony Robins about success, it doesn’t really happen that ways, even though we wish it would. I guess we all want to be happy at the end of the day, but there are many things that we still have to do that might not make us happy, yet we do it, perhaps for a living or we are committed to doing them – but that still doesn’t guarantee our success. Depends a lot on the situation and circumstances too I think.
You are right, some people have all the fame and riches, yet they are unhappy within, because they don’t do any of the things mentioned, while there are still others who live happy carefree lives without doing anything. A lot depends also on their state of mind and how they take things.
Oh yes…being thankful is a lot different from being grateful – I used to have a problem with that one when I was young. And both of these are so, so important. Just as you mentioned, most people turn to God when they are in trouble, or think of thanking him when they don’t achieve something – it doesn’t really happen often, nor do they think of Him when they are happy or successful and how wrong that is.
Giving back and even helping others gives a great sense of achievement and satisfaction that we have done something beyond – more than for our own-self and making money. I think this is the greatest way to be successful in my eyes 🙂
Thanks for sharing these things with us. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
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Hi Harleena,
Like you, while I agree with Tony Robins quote I know it’s not all there is to be truely successful.
The very proof of this is that we all know of some people who have all that, but are still missing out on being happy. If you’re not happy, then how can you call yourself successful right?
Thanks you for sharing your thoughts with us, Harleena.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
Success to me has many faces. Some people value their own self-worth by the money they have and when it is gone, they are defeated and they make sure everyone around them knows it too. I have known many people like that and they never recover from it when it is all gone.
To me success means, giving back. When I started I was nobody fishing in pool of bloggers. Whether or not, people know who I am, I know who I am and that means more to me than anything. This allows me to get real about my failures and how I can turn into something good to help someone else.
Then when I see someone else make a name for themselves, I feel good knowing that some part me helped. Do I need credit for that, no, but I just hope that when they reach the top, that they replicate what I did and pass it on.
That’s success to me.
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Hi Sonia,
I so agree with you.
Some people place success on money, some on education, and some on career, but really it’s none of that, because you could be highly educated, have lots of money and a great career and still be a real mess. We know there are out there, right?
True success is first and foremost in your mind, and then you can have all that and more and truly call yourself successful
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and have a great weekend.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
Hi Sylviane,
You are spot on girl! It is too bad that most people equate success with money. The truth is that money really doesn’t have anything to do with success when you look at the reality of it.
I was just having a conversation of “The 27 Club” whereby many famous musicians died at the age of 27 at the height of their success. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and more. These people achieved fame and fortune but did not know how to deal with it. They were looked upon as successful people, but they came to a young death.
We need to be Grateful for all that we have, and yes, we are blessed by God every day. Praying and keeping this mindset is a part of success because we are acknowledging all that we have. And with this, we don’t take things for granted.
Being Truthful: Great point Sylviane, especially when you brought out the point that we must not lie about anything in our business. Being truthful to ourselves is important as a great man said: “To thine own self be true” – That quote has gotten me through my life since I was a child. People sense those who are truthful, or not.
Being helpful to others: That must be part of our personality. If not, it does cause one to be self-centered and yes, no happiness there!
Giving Back is my favorite! When we achieve the mindset of being aware of those in our path that need, we must stop and lend a hand. It goes beyond money. It can be time to help someone new to the business. It can also be just a smile. To me, it is fun!
Thanks for this wonderful post,
Donna
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Hi Donna,
Well, thank YOU for your wonderful comment. You’ve said it all here.
I’m glad you brought up those musicians who all died at a young age. I’ve noticed that lack of appreciation, extreme anxiety, and overall unhappiness tends to bring death early. I’m not just saying, this is something you noticed if you observe well. Thus the importance of doing those things right 🙂 If you want to enjoy this life a bit longer, that is.
Thanks for your input, Donna and have a great weekend.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
Hi Sylviane,
I love this post as it says it all. If you have the whole world in your fist and you are not happy, it means nothing and you are not successful.
I have known both rich people and poor people. The rich are always complaining and greedy but the poor are grateful and thankful. Some rich people boast, thinking it is their power that made them rich and they don’t believe in a higher power (GOD) that is in control and is the one who is in charge of everything, that’s why they can’t be grateful and of course not thankful.
But I have also known other rich people who always say, I am rich because God gave me these riches and they do give back to the community and help the less fortunate and indeed God bless them with more riches and happiness at the same time. These are the real successful people because they are honest and they fear God which lead them to be grateful, thankful, helping others and giving back to the community.
Thanks Sylviane for a great inspiring post.
Be Blessed,
Neamat
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Hi Neamat,
I’m glad you mentioned both kind of rich people. We all know about the ungrateful ones who think there are the beginning and the end of things, but thankfully we also know that some rich people are smarter than that, and give back to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, so to speak.
The later ones are the most balanced and happy ones of course.
Thank you for your input and have a great weekend!
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
I do believe in this philosophy, and would also like to add – Happy people don’t feel they are a burden on the ones who love them and care about them. They accept help, appreciate it, and do what they can to help themselves. They “do the work” and feel proud for doing the best they can.
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Hi Saanvi,
Yes, that’s a good point. We must accept help from others when we need it and not being so proud that we couldn’t.
Thanks for your feedback.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
I love the differences between grateful and thankful – I never thought about that before Sylviane. I would say it is “doing what you want, when you want, where you want with who you want as much as you want.” Great defination of success to me! Not something many of us really achieve to the fullest but it’s a great goal to have. Part of the doing what you want is about giving back, it’s a satisfaction for many of us.
Have a wonderful weekend and here is to success!
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Hi Lisa,
Yes, giving back should be pleasurable, as a matter of fact. Even though it’s not the case for everyone, for most normal feeling people, it is.
Thanks for your input.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read..5 Fundamental Things You Need To Do To Be Truly Successful
Being successful is not that easy task.You have rightly pointed out very basic and useful aspects we need to take care of to succeed.I feel the person should be very genuine in dealing with others on the path to success.