If you ask most people whether they would like to be considered a winner or a loser in life, they would most assuredly reply that they would like to be a winner. But this begs the question, "What does it mean to win at life?" In some things it's easy to define a clear winner. In a basketball game, whoever has the most points at the end of the game is the winner. In a game of hearts, my favorite card game, whoever has the least amount of points when one of the players reaches 100 points is the winner.
But it isn't quite as easy to decide what it means to win in the game of life, is it? And that is because people define winning in different ways. For many, winning is through the accumulation of money or material possessions. "He's a success, a real winner," they say. Others think winning means living the longest. Still others say that it is to have their body in tip-top shape. Some say it is to have a happy family. Some say it is to regularly enjoy their hobbies.
All of these are fine, in and of themselves. But...
I would like to encourage us to think about winning or success in a different way. Generally, people think of winning as the over-achievement in a particular, chosen area. I like to believe, however, that to truly win at life is not to overachieve in one area but to succeed in maintaining balanced achievement in numerous areas.
Let me repeat that: To truly win, to be a success, is not to overachieve in one area, but to maintain balanced achievement in all areas of our lives.
For instance, is a person of success if they earn millions of dollars but lose their family? Is a person a success if they garner national fame but have no friends? Of course not. In fact, they may live the most pitiful of all lives.
First, Define
So the first thing we must do is define what we will consider "winning in life." As you ponder this for yourself, I would like to recommend that you focus in on three overarching areas: Body, Soul, and Spirit. The body is that which has actual connection with the physical world and would encompass physical health, financial health, family, work, and relationships.
How is your health? How are your finances? Are your relationships, both with your family and others all that they could be? Is work fulfilling? How would you define winning in these areas?
The next area, the soul, is that which deals with the emotions, will, and intellect. It is our thoughts, ideas, and attitudes. How are you emotionally? Are you able to exercise your will? Are you growing intellectually? Have you done an attitude check lately? How would you define winning in these areas?
And the spirit is the part of us that transcends this life, the part of us that communes with God. Zig Zigler said, "Money will buy me a house, but not a home, a bed, but not a good night's sleep." So true. Inner peace comes from something much deeper. Have you thought about going back to your spiritual roots? Are you able to spend time in quiet, solitude, and prayer from time to time? This is an extremely important area and all too often neglected. What would you like to achieve in this area? How would you define winning in these areas?
As we experience balance in these areas, we will find ourselves much more at peace with ourselves than if we were to experience tremendous success in one area but loss or failure in the other areas. We were designed to work as congruent, balanced people. This is how we get to the end of our lives and say, "I won."
Second, Prioritize
Once you have defined what it is that you would like to achieve in each of these areas, you have to prioritize them, and let other, non-important areas drop off the chart. Commit to developing a plan to succeed in a balance of areas. Exercise your will. Choose. Dwight D. Eisenhower said that "The history of free men is written not by chance, but by choice - their choice."
When we manage our time and schedule, we are simply making choices in regard to our priorities. For most, their priority is to take action on whatever is screaming the loudest at the moment. For those who become winners, they reflect on what they desire to achieve, make a plan and decide to eliminate the rest.
Last, Do it
Okay, you have defined winning. You have prioritized your life. Now, the hard part: Doing it. This is where we are all alone. We all make this step on our own, but having a written plan is as good a preparation as you can get. Rather than saying that you are going to do this for the rest of your life, take the next week to implement your new balance of winning. If a week sounds too long, just focus on today. Spend some time, be it ever so small, enhancing your life in these areas. Exercise a little. Read for a while to challenge your mind. Deal with your emotions. Spend time in silent contemplation to renew your spirit. Give some time to your spouse and children. Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you won't get anywhere if you're standing still." There has got to be action.
As we do this over time, and balance our lives out, we will begin to finally feel like we are winning at life. That will be exciting, as will the process!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
Do you think you have an "average" or perhaps an... Read More
Multi-task goal-completion work with everyday, "have to" activities If you... Read More
As a work-life and career coach, I regularly work with... Read More
Sometimes short cuts are not worth taking. They may bring... Read More
Mary and Susan were friends for years. They grew up... Read More
Here are 3 powerful steps you can take to free... Read More
Hope you're having a GREAT Day!Last night I was reading... Read More
Oprah and Harpo Productions, consistently reap awe-inspiring progress and record-breaking... Read More
(Excerpted from the 1999 Weekend Seminar audio/CD series)Parents, leaders, employers,... Read More
To make change effective, you have to BE what you... Read More
Have you been struggling for years to accomplish some goals... Read More
Success, in the dictionary, is defined as, "The achievement of... Read More
The 90/10 secret is incredible! Very few know and apply... Read More
When my neighbor's child was about 8, he decided that... Read More
Hello again! I have some more useful tips you can... Read More
One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More
Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More
Failure is GreatYou are probably asking yourself what could be... Read More
e-Learning is doubling yearly. Classes, e-courses, e-books on how-to and... Read More
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the... Read More
The only thing in life we have direct control over... Read More
How do we define success? Webster's dictionary defines success as... Read More
Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More
If you want to make more of your talents -... Read More
Here are the 3 elements of the "Purpose" leg in... Read More
I am constantly approached by people when I am speaking... Read More
You have complete control over your thoughts. Thought patterns develop... Read More
Many different daily tasks require a strategic process to be... Read More
I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More
Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone have recently hosted a... Read More
Do you feel you lead a healthy and happy life?... Read More
I was hired to do some training for a sales... Read More
You're considering a new career, new place to live or... Read More
If you discovered your speaking career depended on how organized... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
The sun crept over the horizon and lodged itself above... Read More
I'll let you in on a little secret...life delivers pretty... Read More
Affirmations are emotionally driven statements of intention and faith that... Read More
Driven by cultural imperatives and inner promptings, we drive ourselves... Read More
Hold a "progressive" goal party If you have a group... Read More
An acquaintance of mine once lamented that she was utterly... Read More
One of the common elements you see in almost all... Read More
I receive several emails every week asking me about how... Read More
What does "Lessons from My Garden" have to do with... Read More
How many of you have ever thought about the link... Read More
You're considering a new career, new place to live or... Read More
If you help yourself, God and humans will help you... Read More
Do you ever wonder how some people consistently get what... Read More
You teach others how to treat you by how you... Read More
Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to... Read More
Why is it that most people still equate being successful... Read More
(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a... Read More
Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More
One of the greatest compliments I ever received in my... Read More
Quote of the month: Am I working to live or... Read More
There is a saying that goes something like this: Getting... Read More
Why do some people end up with boring jobs living... Read More
Imagine living in the world that Helen Keller found herself... Read More
Mary and Susan were friends for years. They grew up... Read More
Two Immigrants Live The American DreamSome may call it a... Read More
Management by Objectives, strategic planning, quality, teams, re-engineering. Passing management... Read More
Ask yourself the following:1. I have created a life-strategy plan... Read More
Thoughts are very powerful. An intention held long and hard... Read More
The Great Library of Alexandria once held the wisdom of... Read More
Use birthdays and other gift-giving holidays to help reach your... Read More
What does success look like to you? Our culture often... Read More
Success |