What is the definition of success? Not just the textbook definition, but your individual definition of success and how it manifests in your life. 

Drilling down on the definition of success is an essential step on your journey to achievement.  Success is not a spectator sport, achievement demands action.  The first action is to determine what your life goals are.

A goal is a specific target or result that you want to achieve. Successfully meeting your goals will impact at least one of the six areas of your Wheel of Life. The six spokes on the wheel are:

1. Financial/career
2. Mental/educational
3. Physical/health
4. Social/cultural
5. Family/home
6. Spiritual/ethical

The value of each spoke on the wheel will vary from person to person, but we all share these six common motivators.

For your journey to be successful, include these five elements in setting your goals:

Predetermined

Have you thought it out and designed a plan of action for your journey? Predetermined personal goals hold your attention.

Personal

Goals must be internalized, reflecting your personal vision of success. When you work to achieve someone else’s goals, you are not as motivated as when you work to reach your own.

Worthwhile

Are your goals worthwhile? Examine your goals through this lens to determine if they are compelling enough to be worthy of your best efforts. Are they compatible with the values from your wheel of life?  Goals have no motivational value unless they are meaningful to you.

Progressive

Are you moving forward, advancing, and proceeding in steady steps? Success is an ongoing process that begins as soon as you start to act on your goals.

Realization 

Realization is the process of actively achieving your goals. How will you know when you have reached your goal? Give some thought to what realizing your goal will look and feel like.

Take some time this week to think about where you are and where you want to be.  Consider the benefits of the goal you are proposing, the steps you will take, and what it will look like when you see success. 

Make a point to think about your wheel of life and whether your goals are in line with your values and motivators. Once you have done this, you will already be on your journey to success.  

Remember: Success is the journey, not the destination.