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Wondering what it takes to be successful in life? That’s a bit of a tricky question, because success means a lot of different things to different people.

The only way to be sure you are truly successful is to define your success. Here are 7 steps to help you define your very own success.

Ask yourself: “What does success look like?”

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. Booker T. Washington

While the above quote might strike a chord with you, it’s important to define what your very own version of success looks like. Take a few minutes to answer the question: “What does being successful mean to you?” Does success mean making lot of money, having a big house and a flashy car or does it mean happiness, excellent health and bringing beauty into the world? While you’re at, you might also want to visualize the entire scene of your successful future, where you are, who is with you, what are you doing and even how are you are feeling.

Forget about what other people may think.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. Lao Tzu

Want to be successful? Stop wasting your energy on what other people may think, or do or say, and start putting energy towards furthering yourself. You need every ounce of positive energy, encouragement and self-esteem working for you and you alone if you want to be successful. Say no to the naysayers…even better, just ignore them and go on about your business.

Make a plan.

I must govern the clock, not be governed by it. Golda Meir

How are you going to achieve success? That is, what courses of action are you going to take? Planning is an important part in setting goals and being successful. For example, if your goal was to open and run a successful restaurant full of happy and well-fed customers, you wouldn’t hire staff or order food before you secured a location for your restaurant or bought cooking equipment and supplies. Have you thought about all the steps, big and small, that you will need to take to get to where you need to be? Even if you don’t have the details hammered out, having a general plan is better than having no plan at all.

Get specific.

Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible. St. Francis of Assisi

Success can seem overwhelming, especially with all the different twists and turns that may come up over the course of time. Even if you’ve made a plan, things can sometimes seem entirely out of hand or unattainable. When things start to get rough, just remember to do what you can, right here, right now. So what if you’re not five steps ahead in your plan? You’ve got to start somewhere. Get specific about what it is you need to do at this very point in time.

Make it happen.

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. Amelia Earhart

Ever wonder how books are written, movie soundtracks are scored, or skyscrapers are built? Long story short, you make a plan, sit down and simply do the work! While planning is an important part of success, it’s even more important to sit down and make things happen. Stop viewing life from the sidelines and get into action! You’ll be one step closer to success.

Ask yourself: “What does success look like?”… again

Change your thoughts and you change your world. Norman Vincent Peale

Once you’re well entrenched in a project or course of action, you might thing you’re in the clear. Yet something funny can sometimes happen: you forget what you initially set out to do! For example, you might get distracted and lose sight of your goal. This is why it’s so important to regularly check in with yourself to see if you are indeed on course in your goals. What does your idea of success look like now that you’ve got some experience and perspective?

Don’t give up.

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas A. Edison

You know the feeling…you’re tired, annoyed and bothered. You’re ready to give up and quit. Unfortunately the one thing that will always stop you from succeeding is if you stop and give up. While it might be painful, bothersome or just plain frustrating to keep pushing on, just continue to push on. You might be at the very brink of a breakthrough! Acknowledge the pain and frustration and continue on anyway. Work hard and believe in yourself for success is just around the corner…

How will you define your own success? What landmarks or milestones are important to you when it comes to being successful? Leave a comment below.

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(source: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/heres-how-define-your-own-success.html)