What is success and why is it essential to define it?

Many people say that their greatest desire is to achieve success in their career and personal life. But do you really know what success is? According to the RAE, success is:

• The word success comes from the Latin «exĭtus» (exit) and is defined according to the RAE with 3 meanings: 1. m. Happy result of a business, performance, etc.

However, the concept of a happy outcome is not static, as it changes according to each person's perspective. That is why it is up to each person to determine their professional and individual concept of success and to undertake efforts to walk in this direction, working to achieve these objectives. Whatever your idea of what success is, remember that it is not possible to achieve it without hard work. But do not despair. In this text we share some tips that can help you!

1. Work from home

Among the various indicators of success is the workplace. Many professionals working in the market dream of being able to carry out their activities without leaving home. The convenience offered by this way of working is seen in a positive light, as it represents a saving of time (no more commuting to work) and, consequently, improvements in quality of life.

2. Work while traveling

Although there are still professionals who do not give up the comfort of home, on the other hand, there are also those who believe that success is more closely related to the possibility of working from anywhere in the world. This type of work has gained more and more ground in the modern world with the emergence of digital nomads.

3. Spend more time with family

One of the most traditional definitions of success has to do with caring for one's family. Being able to spend more time with one's children and paying attention to one's partner and loved ones is one of the basic goals cultivated by most entrepreneurs. In the case of these professionals, success is not related solely and exclusively to financial gain. Having time to care for loved ones is as, or even more, important than earning a lot of money.

4. Have autonomy to define your own schedules

The conventional job market is known for giving professionals little freedom. Hours are fixed, commutes are long, and fatigue at the end of the month can be great. That's why the concept of success as freedom to define one's work schedule is quite present in the modern world. Professionals increasingly want to feel responsible for their own productivity, determining when, how, and where to carry out their activities.

5. Possibility of offering something innovative

Generally, entrepreneurs do not just want to sell products, but they want to make a positive impact on the market and deliver a product/service with high added value to the consumer. Being successful can then mean the ability to create something truly useful and innovative, that solves people's real problems and generates social commitment.

6. Achieve financial independence

Financial independence is more of a consequence than a goal. It is the result of the effort of those who take the initiative to undertake and offer the market the best products and services. Having a lot of money is not always a determining factor for success, but achieving financial independence is a common goal for all professionals. There is nothing better than generating income by doing what gives us pleasure.

7. Have a business that reflects your visions and values

More important than having a business is presenting the market with an authentic undertaking that reflects the entrepreneur's values and visions. Combining pleasure and work allows for the development of more efficient goals and strategies. You can see that those who do what they like manage to perform their tasks with much more quality. There are many professionals in the market who do not consider themselves successful because they dedicate themselves to something that does not coincide with their inner ideas and visions. Another clear example that money is not the only indicator of success.

8. Being able to lead people

Anyone who has ever inspired people knows how pleasurable it is to take on the role of a leader. Leadership is the ability to guide people, positively transforming their thoughts and inspiring them. Leaders are able to change the work environment, awakening the best in everyone and encouraging teamwork. This is another definition of success: being able to lead people and be an agent of transformation. If that is your definition of success, take the opportunity to read our post with tips on how to lead people.

9. Make a positive impact on the world

The world can be pleasant for everyone, as long as people behave in a positive way and influence others. It is not necessary to believe in energies or in something supernatural to agree that the influence we generate in the world can have positive or negative results. Perhaps the success you seek is translated into the ability to add, to generate value and to positively influence the environment in which you operate.

10. Have free time for leisure

Having free time is so important that even in conventional jobs there is the concept of vacations and paid days off - after all, no one can work at a high level all the time, and that is not even healthy. We need free time to do anything or just do nothing. Leisure without free time simply does not work. If you can have fun at work, if you can take advantage of weekends, take trips, visit friends and other activities, you can consider yourself successful.

Why do you need a definition of success?

The importance of determining your concept (or concepts) of what success is is linked to the goals and strategies created to achieve it. It is not possible to achieve results without planning with short, medium and long-term goals. A financial plan is also very important to ensure that you can calmly make decisions in favor of sustainable results. If your goal is to be your own boss, for example, acting in the traditional job market can be a big problem. But how can you change that situation? That is where planning comes in.

Why is the digital market a good option for you?

All the concepts of success shown above can be found in one place: the digital market. This is an expanding segment that allows professionals to develop their skills and potential, be their own boss, have more time for their family, work from wherever and whenever they want. And these are just some of the benefits of working online. To give you an idea, the year-on-year growth rates of the Distance Education (EAD) market in Latin America, for example, reach 30%, much higher than those of traditional face-to-face education. This indicates significant growth and a trend, according to a study by Virtual Educa. This means that this market has great potential for those who want to invest. Check out the story of 10 entrepreneurs who succeeded in the digital market:

What can you do to achieve success?

Whatever your definition of success, one of the first steps to achieving your goal of success is to set your goals. Thinking about where your brand will be tomorrow, next month, and next year is essential to keeping a close eye on the development of your ideas step by step. It is not very smart to have goals only for future years in mind. Entrepreneurship means growing a little more every day. Here are 5 more steps that can help you on the path to success in your career:

1. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The strong points must be exploited more and more, while the weak points must be worked on so that they do not represent a problem in your business. Identifying these strengths and weaknesses is important so that you can think of strategies and recruit professionals who can overcome your limitations in a certain area or issue. A tool that can help you identify these characteristics is the SWOT Matrix, which can be done manually, at no cost.

2. Study the market so you stand out

The market is constantly changing, so professionals need to stay up to date. Working on the basis of strategies, methods and techniques that worked in the past may not be the best idea. A simple change in market mechanisms and voila, those techniques collapse. To be a professional who stands out from the rest, keep your eyes glued to the market, study it and find gaps in which you can act.

3. Make good alliances

In the digital market, not everyone is a competitor. Many of the players can act as partners, facilitating processes and providing support in exchange for mutual benefits. There is no point in growing alone, because in addition to being much more difficult, it does not represent the values of the entrepreneurial world, which is based on the formation of business alliances.

4. Create an online course

If you are looking for a way to get started right away, one of the best ways may be to create an online course. Remember what we talked about in the EAD market? It will soon be responsible for the majority of educational content sold in many places around the world, and not just for higher-level courses. Consumer interest in free courses is growing more and more. Mastering a technique and sharing this knowledge with other people can be the best way to generate income on the Internet. Discover your main talents and skills and transform this into a business idea.

5. Work online

In addition to online courses, the digital market allows for the sale of other products and services over the Internet. Some people believe that the 90% of conventional jobs can be adapted to the digital environment. Do you want some examples?

• Lawyers can provide advice online;
• Writers can engage clients and create projects to deliver directly over the Internet, without the need to be in an office;
• Teachers can teach online.

Related Articles