Fellow writer and friend Matt Hofferth wrote a blog post about The Price Of Success that grabbed my attention. With wisdom, Matt gives some straight talk about how we view success and what it means.
I love this quote by Albert Einstein. I happened across it the other day while putting together my interview/guest post with Wander. It weighed on my mind. Then, a day or two later, Matt's post showed up. Interesting enough, my ladies group has been talking on the subject of success as well. So I thought, 'Okay...I'm meant to explore this a little more!' Have you ever had a topic keep popping up like that?
When asked what success meant to me, I took a few days to stew on it. Success to me is using your G-d given talents and abilities to the best of your ability. Here's the dictionary's definition -
suc·cess/səkˈses/
| Noun: |
|
What's your take on success? What makes a person successful? Matt had pointed out that a person can achieve success yet still be unhappy. What Matt was conveying is that a person can achieve success in one part of life, yet be unsuccessful in other areas.
It can be easy to get caught up in one area of life. When I'm in edits, it seems I've got my nose buried in my manuscript to the exclusion of most other things. But I cannot allow, will not allow, writing to be the sole definition of me as a person. There's a whole lot more...Ha. As we all look ahead to a new Round Of Words In 80 Days on April 2, let's set our goals keeping this in mind - and strive to be people of value while working toward success.
Best of luck in reaching your goals this upcoming round, everyone! I'm excited to see what makes the lists.
~ Nadja
Defining success is as personal as it comes...
ReplyDeleteI am wondering about joining row80...I'll think on it.
Wander
It sure is. It makes you take a hard look at the things you are doing and evaluate them. Self-reflection/evaluation is key to defining where we want to go - and whether we're actually doing the things necessary to get there.
DeleteI hope you do consider joining ROW80! I've benefited from the community and support, as well as learned a great deal from fellow writers. It really is th writing challenge that knows you have a life! (Geez...I sound like a commercial..ha!)
*Jingle Music*
DeleteROW80
The challenge...
That knows you have...
A life!
*Rainbows*
While I'm doing puns. Wander, you should definitely wander over.
Seriously, we're not all as awful as I am. :-p
(This was a successful random comment.)
Notice to the public/manufacture warning:This comment thread has been known to the state of California to cause awesomeness....
Deletehaha, I couldn't resist;-)
and I am very open to new challenges!
*smiles as small, chiming sound 'tings' in background. pan to gleaming white teeth, sufficiently bleached for television viewing pleasure of intended audience. fade left to rainbows. rapidly announce 'notice to the public/manufacture warning' as rainbow shimmers enough to distract viewers from legal jargon* Taaaaa-Daaaaa.
DeleteI love it when a plan comes together.
DeleteMaybe we've missed our true calling...advertising. Oh! Smack me for even mentioning it ;}
DeleteSuccess to me is never giving in to failure. But we all fail, right? Wrong.
ReplyDeleteFailure only comes when we give up.
That is a great quote, Jeremy. The new site design is fabulous! And I cannot wait to read 'White Lies' - I'm just waiting to see if I win a free copy on Goodreads! Ha.
Deleteokay, a new take on success:
ReplyDeletewhatever u do to make u happy
(yeah, that can be a cheesy hallmark card comment, but i think it's true!)
thanks for stopping by!
Nadja -
ReplyDeleteI think success is one of those crazy-hard to define terms, because it's just so darn personal. I'm struggling with that right now - what does success with my fiction look like to me? Once I have a better handle on that, I can make it happen. But if I take someone else's concept and try to apply it to my work? Disaster in the making!
And I'm with you in that I love my writing, but it's not my entire life. If that's the case, I'd be miserable every time the writing's not going well.
Hope you have a fab week!
Kelsey
I consider something I've done as a success if I worked hard--despite struggles, hardship, etc.--and I feel super awesome at the end.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the second round of ROW80.
It is a great feeling to know I've given my all to a project! Good point, Medeia.
DeleteGlad to hear you're 'all-in' for round two! See you in a few days!
I define success as being the best person I can possibly be. I'm talking about the important stuff like kindness, compassion, faith, dedication to family and friends, etc. When I strive for that and have success, everything else is just gravy. (Or icing on the cake if you like sweets better, LOL.)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals! I like the idea of measuring success in increments - and looking back at the end of a year, to see how far you've come already!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you've signed up for another round! See you next check in! :)
ReplyDelete