What is “success”? Earl Nightingale describes success as “the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.” You are successful, in other words, if you are making progress in the attainment of your goals. Notice he doesn’t say “the achievement” of a goal, but the “progressive realization”.

Far too many of us attach rules to success that make it improbable or impossible that we will ever achieve it and enjoy the benefits of feeling it!

What are your rules for success? What has to happen in order for you to feel the fulfillment of being successful? Have you really thought about it? It’s a worthwhile excercise.

Take a piece of paper, and write down your answers. Ask yourself a few questions. “When am I sucessful?” “What do I have to do to feel successful?” “Do I have to be perfect to be a ’success’?”

Your answers will give you some insight into your thought process; your rules for feeling a certain feeling. If they’re too restrictive, you may want to change them.