-Isms: Views on Life in Rural America

The other day, a young person asked what words I would use to describe success.

Great question. I asked for more context, wondering if they were trying to correlate success - an accomplishment - with reward, primarily monetary.

After deliberation, I’ve narrowed my list to three words.

First, is mindset. This may seem cliche, but you, alone, control your attitude. When you wake up, you set the tone for your day. You choose whether you will have a good or bad day. Sure, you may encounter roadblocks or disagree with others throughout the course of 24 hours. It’s frustrating, I get it. Your response to those obstacles is your choice. Your response determines if you find success or wallow in a pool of self-pity.

I choose positivity once the alarm rings, even at 5 a.m., on deadline day. By believing in yourself, you begin to view situations in a new light and, after awhile, you realize that good things are happening. What a boost!

Develop a personal mantra that highlights a positive mindset and success will find you. Try it. Mine is simple: Hard work pays off and I am worthy of the best.

Goals - dreams, aspirations, passion - is my second choice defining success. I’m a goals girl, always have been, always will be. Consider it a roadmap. If you know where the finish line is, you know where to start to reach that mark.

Yes, goals and dreams change over time. They should. I’ve written this before, I mapped my future in seventh grade: Law school, a job on Printer’s Row in Chicago, husband, 2.5 children, picket fence. The whole nine yards, the stereotypical future a lot of girls growing up in the 60s and 70s thought (or were told) they needed to find fulfillment.

Who was I kidding? Me, that’s who. The thought of living anywhere besides Nebraska, well, that was never a possibility. My roots are here and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Want to be successful? Establish attainable goals. Once you’ve reached it, evaluate the path taken and where you envision it taking you in the future. Success brings more success. Try it.

What’s the final word that defines success? For me, it’s action. Some may call it grit, others determination. No matter what you call it, you’ll discover that hard work pays off.

If you don’t take action, how will you reach any goal you’ve set?

And, once you’ve reached a milestone, plan a new course of action, big or small. Some people prefer to take baby steps. Some of us jump in and take charge. The tie that binds: Work ethic. Try it.

A reminder that success does not come without failure. Consider it a stepping stone, where we learn how to face adversity, adapt to new scenarios, embark on a new course. Failure shouldn’t feel like defeat. It should spark hunger and drive action.

While success comes in different shapes and sizes, it takes a positive mindset, a firm goal and strong action to come to fruition. Combine those elements and you’ll find you effortlessly attract success and abundance.

What words do you use to define success? Share your list with LuAnn at [email protected] or via one of our social media channels.