What is your definition of success? This is your daily message from Chad number 615 and this message is dedicated to the best veterinarian in the midwest, perhaps the nation, Marianne Lesh.

What is your definition of success? If you react negatively to the idea of categorizing success, think of the alternative you are choosing by default. It is important you have a personal definition. I say personal on purpose because there is not one definition. Your version may not be another’s. That’s okay.

If you start cataloguing different definitions (I think this is a good exercise because you will look to particular people you see as successful–remember success leaves clues) you will notice a few things. Success is not a destination. It’s a process. It’s a journey. Success involves defeat and failure. It’s inevitable and necessary. I’ve already mentioned it’s personal. If you are allowing someone else to define what success is, you will never be successful.

I’ve mentioned the Success Cycle in previous episodes (the last episode I believe was #433). The harder you work, the better you’ll get, the better you get the better you’ll feel, the better you feel the more you will like it and yourself… and the harder you will work, the better you’ll get, the better you get the better you’ll feel, the better you feel the more you will like it and yourself… and the harder you will work, the better you’ll get, the better you get the better you’ll feel, the better you feel the more you will like it and yourself… and the harder you will work. It doesn’t stop.

So what’s your definition? You can email me at fromchadsmith@gmail.com and read the transcript of this message at fromchad.com.