My favorite definition of success comes from Earl Nightingale, who defined it as “the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.”
Progressive as in the ongoing adventure.
Realization as in “to bring into reality” or “to make it real.”
My second favorite definition, which complements Earl’s take nicely, comes from Eric Butterworth:
“We have erroneously thought of success as ‘getting there,’ while actually success is ‘earning the right to be there.’ And earning means learning. Setbacks, even failures, may be an important part of that learning.”
What a paradigm shift.
Success is about earning the right. Earning is learning. Learning comes from failures. So, in this way, failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s an essential component. It’s a building block, not a stumbling block.
The ultimate failure is expecting success without embracing the education that comes only through failing.
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