I'm sorry to say, I still struggle with procrastination.   As we approach the 10th anniversary for the release of Captive Heart, my very first novel, I have to admit that I haven't found the secret to combat the fear of success.  I still catch myself before allowing my reach to go beyond what I feel I "deserve", and stop short of launching programs that I feel can bless others.
I am a constant student and continue to search for the final answer that will heal everyone's anxiety about facing fear and dare I say, even embrace it.  I'm still searching.  A few more novels under my belt and a podcast, I know that I am called for more.  I have to learn to trust in my capabilities and trust in my purpose.  But it is not a magic pill, or a motivational quote.  It's a daily, constant work.
Ten years later, I say again... don't give up, roll with the punches and don't be afraid to try again. 

I will do just about anything to see ALL the monuments wherever I am traveling.  Caveat to that is if I'm pulling the camper, I can't very well whip over to the side of the road to see the historical marker sign.  But if I'm out and about, heck yeah, I want to see them all!

So I have to tell you about my adventure today. 

I went out in search of the Oregon Buttes, that the pioneers used to guide them on their way.  They could see them for miles and miles and pointed their wagons right at them to help them navigate the South Pass. (This was the only place they could get through the mountains) It was a landmark that way a high priority for them to see, and so it became so for me.

I was GOING to be content, grabbing some picture from a distance, but a woman that was working at the visiter's center of the South Pass City, told me theres a little known road that could get me closer.
I asked, "Are there signs?"
She said, "Yeah, I mean, you'll have to look for them and then there's a monument..."
There it was... I had to do it. 

So I take off down this dirt road... I can see them... WAY off in the distance... I could have been, should have been happy with that... nope.  There's a monument.
Make a left at the highway.  Once you pass the rest area and cross over the Sweetwater River, you'll make a left.

Uh... no signs.... I go a little further, cross the Continental Divide... Now I KNOW I missed it.
Turns out the only sign of any kind, is a street sign.  So, I head down the gravel road in search for the monument. 
It said it would be about 10 miles, so I knew to be patient.  I was only going about 30 mph, and the roads twisted and turned every which way, uphill, down hill... and I could see the buttes in the distance, getting closer, and closer...
I am snapping pictures left and right, because I just can't wrap my head around all this beauty.  It's just breath taking.  I'm stopping, taking pictures, inch forward...
I'm getting some really amazing shots of these buttes  and then the gravel road turns to a dirt road. Pause.  Do I go?  Do I turn back?  There is literally. NOTHING out here.  No humans, no other vehicles, no phones, gas stations, or cell service.
Maybe the monument is at the base of the buttes?  That's how it's been at all the other places... I keep going and then, suddenly there's a heard of pronghorn antelope!  I've been waiting my whole trip to see these!! 
pictures... 
Still going....
Still going...

I finally decide to stop and turn around and am looking for a safe place to do this.  This road is NARROW!   So I slow down even more and then around the next bend, is some of the most beautiful scenery!!  I know I keep saying that, but in my head, I can't understand how the next curve can be more beautiful than the last curve!
And then I think.... NO ONE gets to see this!  This stuff, right here... this is like a private show!  I am literally in awe, I can't even describe it.  
I had to upgrade my cloud storage after this trip!!

Okay, okay, let me fast forward, so the dirt road eventually PASSES where the base of the buttes would have. been.  (I never got to the base, but the road I was on. was now veering away from them all together.  I had to turn around... no really, i mean it this time.   So, reluctantly, I did.
I drove a few feet and a pack of wild horses WITH A BABY runs across the road in front of me!!  Omigoodness!  It was so ... so.... I couldn't get out my camera fast enough.  I did get some, but... again... this was just for me.

I had to give up the monument, and while I might have been disappointed for maybe a minute, so many other things made this side trip SO worth it!!  The views, the scenery- these mountains were painted!!!  They had blue and red and peach colored stripes!!  My God, is an awesome God.   And they are hidden back here along a long, long (LONG) dirt road.  I feel so very priviledged.  (I will be sharing many of the photos in the History Revisited facebook group if you're curious. 

On the way back, after getting back to the gravel, I look to my left and down this tiny little dirt driveway, is a stand.  I start cracking up laughing.  Is that my monument????  I whip the truck and pull up next to it.  There it was... my monument/plaque to let me know how important the Oregon Buttes were to the pioneers. 

And to think... if I HAD found the monument when other normal people would have... I would have missed the whole show. 


And if just this story alone, doesn't have you believing in miracles and that He watches every step... then here's the rest of the story.

When I'm almost home, a warning light pops up on my dash.  I can't do anything right now, so I go straight back to the campground to look it up.  Tire pressure.
I'm so tired and worn out from this trip, but decide to go check it out, because I have another long drive tomorrow.
My rear tire on the driver's side is FLAT.  Not low... F. L. A.T.
I call the good folks at the Roadside Service, I pay lots of money to every year and they send a guy out.  Fixed.  No problem.
But- IF that tire would have gone flat out there on that dirt road...  I would have been in serious trouble.  There was no phone signal.  There were no cars passing by.  There was nothing.
I am so thankful that God was watching over me and got me safely home.  I do believe in miracles because I witness them on a regular basis, this time, today, they were happening to me. 

The Pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail from the 1840s - the 1860s didn't have GPS and for those early trips, they barely had maps!
What they did have are mile markers.  No, not the ones we have today along side the highway, but they had all natural landmarks that they could use to guage their direction, how far they've come and to help others that come along behind them. 
Just like being at Ft. Laramie on the fourth of July was an important date for me, reaching some of these other landmarks were equally worth celebrating. 
The halfway point for the Oregon Trail, is agreed upon my most to be Independence Rock. 
This spot is in the middle of nothingness of Wyoming.  There are huge, beautiful bluffs and buttes pushing up from the ground and settling in with such character and raw elegance, but then there's this one, that kind of sets out on it's own.  It's somewhat smooth and if you look at it in just the right way, it resembles an elephant that lay down to take a nap.  You can only see it's back, but it's unmistakable. 

And... I have reached it.

So, the folks that decided to name this beast Independence Rock, did so because it's where THEY decided to stop to celebrate the birth of our nation.  which means they completely missed out on all the fun at Ft. Laramie, but... who am I to judge?  Lol. 
This became a signature point as well.  This rock, however is hard granite, so unless they were willing to get out the tools to carve their name in deep, most just fell back on grease to paint their name.  Sadly, most of those have washed away from the weather and time.  There is an interesting collection of names still visible at one end of the rock which has since been protected with fencing, and plaques have been hung here as well.  
It's SO cool to see, I still get goosebumps writing about it.
I was going to climb to the top, but was only wearing my flip-flops.  Not good climbing shoes.  Although, if it was cool enough a barefoot climb would have been possible.  It was not, however cool enough.
And I found out later that there are a ton more names carved on top.  Had I known that then, I probably would have made a greater effort to dig out my tennis shoes. 

In spite of that, here I am... at the halfway point.  My trip to Oregon is half over.  I am both excited and quite sad.  It always just seem to go so fast, even though I'm striving to make distance, I don't want it to be over.

This morning I had a private prayer meeting at the sunrise service.  It was just me, the Platte River, the sun sneaking up over the plains and God.  The birds were the choir and a slight breeze kept the heat away.  

The brand new sunlight caught the mist coming up from the water and gave it warm etherial look. 

Per our usual conversations, I begin with gratitude.  How thankful that I am that I can take this journey.  It's come at a high cost, and I never want Him to think that I don't realize it.  I also know that there will probably be a high cost when my travels end, and I let him know that I accept that too.   I am grateful for the littlest things like a safe place to sleep and the beautiful orchestra of nature around me, but I am most grateful for an audience with Him.

Because, and I'm sure He knows it... it's not long before I begin to fret about all the things.  "How am I going to afford this?"  "What happens next?"  "What if this... what if that..."
His answer, is always the same..."Let me take care of that, you take care of the things that are in your control."
At which, I instantly felt the tiniest sting of reprimand. 
Am I doing all of the things I'm supposed to be doing?  Maybe... but am I doing them to the best of my ability?  Probably not.

I am easily side-tracked with the latest, newest idea and I usually chase it down for the length of my leash to see what I can do with it.  Sometimes I have no business being there.  Sometimes I can find a few nuggets to make the things I do better and sometimes, I think that I have the power to bend time... that's my biggest problem, I think.  I WANT to do all these things, so I TRY to do all these things, but it turns out that I have the exact same number of hours in the day as everyone else.  I'm not SUPPOSED to be doing ALL the things apparently.   And He waits patiently until I can come to our meetings for Him to tell me so. 

I have been given a great deal of success and growth with my podcast, Bag of Bones.  I love it.  I really love everything about it, but I'm not utilizing it as best as I could.  Meaning, I'm spreading out, instead of digging the well a little deeper.  I jumped into a second podcast before Bag of Bones was even a year old and one, both are extremely research intensive, and two, I wasn't able to give them the amount of time I need to bring forward the quality I desire.  So, with heavy heart, I am cancelling the release of Trails of History.  Maybe postponing it?  I don't know, but for now, it needs to come off my plate so I can continue to grow and nurture and monetize the podcast I have currently.

The other thing I need to remove right away is the more public version of the Writer's Lounge.  I am moving this branch of my company to a more niched down version.  I am discontinuing the Facebook group.  It takes a huge amount of time creating daily posts for people and it's just not being used.  And I am also discontinuing the League of Authors Membership site for this year.  I love the concept of this- but it's just too big for me to deal with at the moment.

I am going to switch my focus to smaller group coaching to writer's who are ready to get their first book written and published.   Many people SAY they want to write a book but few actually put in the time and effort to do so.  I want to work with those few and help them with all the crazy transition stuff to make it a dream come true.  
​
And then finally, my readers have been most patient with me, allowing me to follow this path and that- not having a new book from me.  I need to get back to that.  I owe you all A Devil's Errand that was supposed to be released in May, but I will do my best to get it released before the end of the year.

So keep an eye out, these transitions will be happening slowly throughout the website.  Things will disappear and new things will pop up, fear not... all part of the Master's plan...

The birds are singing. The sun is shining.  The days are longer.  The air is warmer.  The flowers are blooming and my travel clock alarm is ringing in my soul!!

It must be Spring!

​I love this time of year and look forward to it with great anticipation.  THIS, is MY new year.  THIS is when my new year's goals hit the ground running. I LOVE the Spring! 

Everything just feels so fresh and new.  The winters hit me so hard, even in the South.  It's still too cold, too dark and too confining.  So when the first signs of Spring start to show, my soul perks up, and I know that my days of being trapped indoors are almost at an end.  By this time, I am SO ready to kick my way out of my chrysalis and start my new adventures.

I am usually plotting out some grand adventure, surrounded by maps and destinations, historical points, and "must see" scenic views and lists of lists of lists, with high hopes and throwing caution to the wind... but this year, I must behave.  Last year (and the year before, if I'm being honest) were a little too costly and I wasn't able to recoup my losses.  So... sadly, this year, as promised, I will stay put. 

But don't think I'll be idle!
The new book in the Leading with Love Series, Falling in Love with You, is scheduled to come out  in May and for the first time, I'm also going to try and have the next FICTION (Miracles from Ashes) out by November.  Two books in one year.... I dunno.... but I'm trying.  

Plus this is a great time to try out the newer versions of the workshops on a smaller scale.  Work out the kinks so when I AM ready to travel again, they will be fine-tuned and ready to be offered to the nation!!  (Gotta think big, right?)  And I am missing working with my teens so much that I'm thinking of pulling one or two of their workshops out of the closet and dusting them off too.  (Have to keep busy so I don't think about relocating!)

I have gotten so much feedback from everyone and I am so grateful that you love my work, my stories and my mission.  I just need to stay more focused and not let the lure of rivers, lakes and oceans (or the yellow dashes on the highway that always promise to lead some place completely new) distract me.  Easier said than done.  But keeping busy should help.

I will stay in Georgia for a while longer, but there should be plenty of new and exciting things to see right here in my own back yard.  There is tons of history, and the scenery here is so beautiful.  Plus with my writing, it should be enough to keep me occupied. (read: distracted!)

My heart longs for the open highways and the wanderlust whispers to my heart to go search for things I've never seen.  So, I'll need you to help hold me accountable!  

Spring means new beginnings...  
A fresh start...
A chance to make this year amazing... 

I have a lot planned for this "new year" and I hope it yields great returns!

Happy Spring, y'all! 

The New Year is well under way and it looks like it's going to be a busy one!
2015 was awfully good to me and I expect nothing less from 2016.

For those who know me or have come to know me, can attest to the sheer diversity I have in my life.  I am into all kinds of things!  This year will be no different!

Last year, Daddy's Girl was released and given great reviews.  This year, A Detour Home will continue the series in Bakersfield, AR with some familiar names, and introduce new characters to grow our lovely family.

Last year, this site was all about me.  
Late last year I opened up the Book Club to allow new authors an opportunity to get their work in front of new audiences.  And you, my audience, my readers, my friends have made them feel very welcome and I am so happy and proud that you have warmly accepted these new visitors.  
They find me through a website called Fiverr and they pay five dollars to promote their book.  I started this because my on-line bills were starting to out weigh their income, so the Fiverr would off-set it and help me out.  I didn't want to compromise my site with a bunch of unsightly banners or advertisements so this seemed to fit in nicely.  And, thanks to you, it now completely pays for all my websites, fees, and other silly stuff I am responsible for.  
Sure, it started with the intention for a small income, but then I was able to "meet" some of these brilliant authors!  There's a little bit of everything in the Book Club!  If you need a new read (and you've already read my whole collection, Lol) there are SO many choices!!  My to-read list is growing by leaps and bounds.  There is fiction and non-fiction and something for every age group!  I am so happy I chose to do this.
One of my favorite quotes by Zig Zigglar is, "You can have everything you want, if you help others to get what they want."  That is SO true!  I love seeing these new authors post their books on my site!  They are so passionate and creative and amazing!  And, like I said, you have made them feel so welcome!!
(And I know your favorite way to correspond with me is through e-mail, but I would be so grateful if you'd show a little love in the comment sections.  These authors could use some positive feedback!  Don't be shy! They are good people and who doesn't need a little positive reinforcement?)

Next- at the end of 2015, my daughter and I opened a vapor shop called Phoenix Vapes.  Talk about a new world!!  I am learning so much!  If you are unfamiliar, it is proving to be the best, and healthiest option for people to quit smoking.  The most common term is the e-cis, or electronic cigarette.  (It is WAY more complex than that, but I didn't want to bore you with all kinds of extra details!  It opened in November and we are still in the scary first quarter stage, but I am feeling pretty good about it.  It's my first "brick and mortar" venture for quite some time and let me tell you how it not only sucks up money, but it sucks up quite a bit of time as well!!  So, my writing has been put on the back burner for a minute until I can create a new schedule that includes everything.  For the last few months Phoenix Vapes has been front and center, but now I need to get back to my writing.
Which brings me to...

More website changes...  I am thinking of taking down the on-line store of this website and just promote my books and my upcoming events and of course, the Book Club.  My goal for 2016 is to expand to the online courses we've talked about before, but time has not allowed it to happen.  I'm not ignoring your requests, by any means... I just have to get back into the swing of things.  
I was told that if I wanted to go down all these separate paths that I was going to have to divide into separate entities.  Apparently, they were right.  


Whoo!  This blog turned out to be longer than I expected! Lol!  But there you have it... So, if I'm missing from here, check one of the other sites or I'll be helping the world quit smoking! 
Thanks for sticking by me...


Links you might be interested in:

Visit the Elizabeth Bourgeret's Book Club and see what she means with a huge variety of good reads, study material, audio books, and even coloring books.  A little bit of everything.  Make these authors feel welcome! 

And finally, follow Elizabeth on Facebook!

What Do You Really Want?

It seems like a simple enough question.  What do you want?  I mean, what do you really want?  Have you given yourself permission to even think about it? 

I now live on an island.  Everyday if I drive more that a few miles, I will inevitably go over a bridge.  Looking over the edge of that bridge knowing that the ocean is just a bit away, fills me with joy.  Seeing the sunshine bounce off those beautiful blue waves just... does something for me.  Simple right?  It was a need that I didn't know I had.  This time last year, I had to ask myself that question.  What do I want?  What do I REALLY want?  All I knew was that I was cold, and didn't like it.  But I didn't know what it was, specifically, that I wanted that would make me happy.

And when you first ask it a whole bunch of "superficial" answers come up.  I want cake.  I want a million dollars.  I want that new dress.  I want to travel the world.  I want, I want, I want...  and then, if you keep at it, you dig a little deeper.

I want more time with my children.  I want to sleep peacefully at night.  I want to live in a warmer climate.  I want to write and write and write...  and yes, if you keep going, it gets deeper still. You start to realize those deeper needs; the important ones that get glossed over as we push through our daily routines.  

It's hard to look in the mirror and realize that you are not where you want to be.  But you can't change that, until you know what you want.  So I offer this exercise up to you.

Take out a sheet of paper and write.  I WANT...
Then, set a timer for three minutes and write.  Write everything you want.  Even if it seems outrageous.  Even if it seems selfish.  Even if it seems impossible.  Write.  Don't pick up your pen from the paper until the timer goes off.  Don't worry about being descriptive or specific or spelling or what anyone else might think.  This is for you.  Write.

If you get stuck, answer these questions, but keep writing.
Where do you want your finances to be?  Where do you want to be health-wise?  Who do you want to be with?  What items do you want?  Where do you want to live?  What do you want to own?  How do you want to spend your day?  What do you want to do to earn an income?  How do you want to spend your down time?

Dig deeper.  How do you want to give back?  How do you want to continue to grow?  How do you want to be remembered?  How do you want to affect others in your life?  How can you show love to others?

When you have finished, choose the top ten things that matter the most to you and re-write them on another clean sheet of paper.  This time around, we are looking for balance.  Find at least one thing in each category.  Finances, relationships, recreation, health, career etc...

You can't find happiness if you don't know what it is.  It's like trying to hit a target that you know is "out there" but you just can't see it.  Bring it in to focus.  Once your brain knows what it is looking for, it will switch gears to try and get it for you.  (You have to take the steps to get there, of course...)  But the brain will start thinking of ways to get you what you want.

I believe that our purpose here on earth is simple.  We are here to give back.  Whatever gains you have been blessed with, give some back.  I'm not just talking about finances.  Giving of your time, your knowledge, your resources, your love... give what you have and it will be returned to you ten-fold.  I know this to be true for a fact.

And the other thing, how do you want to grow?  I believe that if you get all the best "toys" and are living the biggest house, it will never be enough until you find balance.  And part of finding balance is to make sure you're always growing.  Learn new things, see new places, meet new people, strive to become a better you.  

Okay... sorry, back to the exercise.  

Take your ten things in your various categories and write a sentence or two about WHY you want these things. Unveil your heart.  Again, this is only for you.  Why do you want your top ten list?  Your brain functions on reason more than want.  So write down the reasons you put this on your top ten.  (It would be helpful if you write down more than "just cause".  -Can you tell I'm used to working with teenagers? Lol!)

Then, when do you want them.  Write a time line for each of the ten items. (You might need to be a little more realistic on this one.  If you want a million dollars, it might need a bit more time to show up than 24 hours!)

And then, read your list.  Every day.  Every night before you go to bed.  Keep those things in your mind.  And slowly check them off when they come into your life. (Then replace them with new things!)  Trust that the future you want WILL come to pass.  

Yes. Yes.  A lot more goes into getting what you want other than making a list.  But first thing before all else... you have to know what you want.
So, just for fun. Take a few moments and spend them on yourself and discover what it is that you want.

Some things you may realize that you already have in your life but have perhaps taken them for granted.  This is the time to freshen up or take a new look at what's around you.  Maybe you don't want things to change too much, but you just have to love (or find new ways to love) what/who you have a little more.

I knew I needed a different life, but I didn't know what.  It wasn't until I saw that I really needed to do some major changing to clean out the toxicity in my life, that I could make those changes.  And I did.  I see the ocean (or at least arms of it) every day.  It was one of those things I wanted.  Really wanted.  And I am happier for it.

I check my list everyday and am pleased to say that I cross things off and replace them with new items all the time.  It works to corral your focus and really get what you want.  

So let me ask you... What do you want?

(Did somebody say cake?)

Simplify Your Life By Letting Go

It goes against everything we believe in.  Letting go... 
Hold on.  Hold on tight.  To everything.  The more the better, right?  Sometimes we get blinded by this theory.  I'm not saying to sell all your stuff and move into an RV or anything... who does that? (teehee!)  But if we take a step back and look at our lives in a different light, what can we let go of to make a little more breathing room?  Thinking room.  Living room.  Loving room.  Here's a list of a few things that came to mind when I was thinking on the subject.  See if you agree.

Let Go Of Your Yesterdays- Let the past be in the past.  Been there done that.  Learn what you can from it but then, let it go.  Don't carry around regret, guilt or bitterness.  Don't carry your past into your future, it blocks you from new experiences and from clouds your judgement.  We all make mistakes.  Learn from them and then let them go. (For more help in this area, go here.)

Let Go Of Negativity- Let the glass be half full.  Let there be a silver lining.  Look for the good and you will find it.  Look for reasons to be grateful instead of complaining.  This slightest shift can do amazing things for your outlook.

Let Go Of Self-Doubt- Stop talking yourself OUT of living!  Take a risk!  Take a chance!  What's the worst that can happen?  You have been given the life you have to enjoy it!  So get out there!  What are you missing out on?  What have you always wanted to try!  Let this be your year!  Stop looking for reason why you CAN'T!  Take action!  Go ahead, take that first step!

And since we're taking chances now...
Let Go Of Perfection- Not everything we do is going to be perfect.  (Is anything we do perfect?) Don't expect it to be perfect.  We are human.  Enjoy the things you do in your human imperfect-ness.  By taking new chances, that opens us up for new mistakes... it's okay.  You're expanding your boundaries.  You are on a continuous learning journey.  Embrace it and don't expect it to be perfect.

Let Go Of Sources Of Stress- Chose people to be in your circle that will feed you and encourage you.  If they suck the happiness from your very soul, it may be time to let them go. It may be painful at first, it's tough to change, but if it for the greater good, then go for it.  A bad attitude is like flat tire.  You can't go anywhere until it's fixed.  So fix it and move on and away from those nails in the road. Chose to be around people that will lift you up, not stress you out.

Let Go Of Living For Others- Make yourself a priority.  Love begins at home in your heart.  If you can't love yourself, how can you expect others to love you.  People will take and take- as much as you are willing to give them.  Give of yourself, but be sure there is plenty left for you.  Follow your own dreams.  You are the only one that can live your life and if you are so busy living it for someone else, you are going to miss out on so much!

and finally:

Let Go Of What's Not Working- Change is good.  Not everything nor everyone is meant to stay in your life forever.  People come and go, experiences come and go, life is a steady flow of change.  And that's okay. See what is and what is not working for you at this juncture in your life and trim the fat where it needs to be trimmed.  If it is not moving you forward, it is most likely wasting more time than it is giving you benefit.  Let it go. 


Hopefully this gives you the motivation to let go and simplify your life in order to enjoy it all the more!  Have a happy day and a love-filled life!

What Do You Want

​As you are climbing the ladder of success, do you know where it leads?  The experts all say that to really achieve success is to KNOW what it is that you want.  Most of us can't clearly answer that question.  Many say they want happiness, wealth or love, but those answers are setting you up for failure.  So what does it take to find the right ladder of success?

As much as people scoff at goal setting, and believe me, I used to be one of those people, goals are the very best way to get from where you are to where you want to be.  

This is the first article in a series on goal setting.  It is perfect for the beginner or the "scoffer" as it takes things literally, one step at a time!  This series won't cover everything, but it will certainly get you started!  And when you are ready to continue on where this series leaves off, I will be there to help you with a whole new on-line series!  So let's get started finding your ladder to success!

Many people know the things they want if they really stop to think about it, but sometimes it takes a little help.  Here's an exercise that will really help the things that prove to be most important to you to fall away from all the others.

Exercise:  This works best with a partner, but if you are honest, you can take care of a lot of blockage on your own.
The object is to keep asking questions until you can't answer them any more.
Start off with the question: What do you want?
Ask this question over and over and over again.  Write down your answers.  Most of the time, people start off with superficial things like, new car, mansion with a pool, a new wardrobe, but the more you keep asking, the REAL answers start to emerge: a savings account, someone to share my life with, a home that's paid off... Whatever is on your list is totally fine.  It's what makes you, uniquely... you!

If you get stuck, here's a couple more questions that will keep the answers flowing: 
What makes you happy?  
What do you love to do? 
If you could quit your job tomorrow...
If you won the lottery...

These questions and all those pages and pages of answers are really only the tip of the iceberg...  Then we have to work on getting you those things that keep coming up over and over again and become your priority!

So do this exercise, a few times if you'd like, and see what surfaces then next week, we will take the next step in how to make those new priorities a reality! 

Success Is...

​What is success?  Is there just one answer?  If you get if wrong are you doomed to failure for the rest of your days?  I think not.

With the beginning of a new year people tend to reflect on their life.  Where are they going?  Where have they been?  What's worked and what hasn't.  What happens next.  I think we all strive for success, some more than others.  But in the end, we want to look back on our lives and say ,"Yes, I was successful". 

The common answer for "What is success?"  is usually equated to making money.  Lots of money.  Ridiculous amounts of money.  Success equals riches.  But hopefully after reading today's article, I hope you will view things a little differently.

 So what is success?  I'm going to tell you.  And I think you might be surprised by my answer.

Success Is Perception.  You're idea of success and someone else's idea of success could be completely different.  When you look at other people's lives and are perhaps unimpressed with what they have achieved you may be shocked to find that they are gleefully happy with the abundance of success they've had.  Something as regular as cooking a meal for a large number of people comes as second nature to a person that comes from a large family or works in a restaurant, but could have been a major challenge for the new bride that is taking on Christmas dinner for her new in-laws and her own family.  If she doesn't serve the turkey raw or the potatoes lumpy and keeps the tiered cake on top of each other, that... is success.  

Success Is Personal.  Success can only be found by pursuing your own dreams, not by following the dreams others force on you.  Meaning, you and only you can decide what success means to you.  I met a man once who became a doctor.  His father was a doctor, his brother was a doctor his grandfather was a doctor, even his daughter was studying to be a doctor.  He had his own practice, the nice home, the nice car and all the other cushy stuff that comes along with it.  By anyone else's standards, he was a success.  But by his own, his was living his father's dream for him.  He wanted to work on cars.  Rebuild cars.  It wasn't until he gave up his practice to "retire" and built a garage in his backyard and started to rebuild his first car, that he considered himself a success.  His path to "success" was a long time coming.  

"Success is when you've reached a personal goal."
- Katherynn Bourgeret-Caldwell

Your vision of success is completely your own.  You may achieve the exact same thing as someone else and not feel anything, because it wasn't what your idea of success was.  You're idea of success may be as simple as a balanced checkbook, filling up your day planner with activities or owing a Lexus.  Whatever you have in your mind that is success, will have a greater impact on you than fulfilling someone else's goal list.  (Which is why they say if you don't have a goal for yourself, you'll be helping someone else reach their goal!)

Success Is Satisfaction.  There is no point in being rich if you can't enjoy it. I'm sure you've heard of the people who've "made it".  They reached that such-n -such dollar amount and are considered successful, but they are so busy working that they can't even enjoy their success!  If making more money is going to be your idea of success then absolutely, go for it!  but I can't help but feel that you're are more likely to enjoy the "rich" part if you enjoy the getting there part.  Do what you love and you will be "rich".  Know when it's enough.  Don't lose your happiness for the sake of your success.

"Success is getting what you want.  Happiness is wanting what you get."
- Dale Carnegie
"Success is measured by your happiness and not the material things you have in your life."
-Jennifer Largent

Success Is Happiness.  The truth is, we have little successes everyday.  As we lay our head on our pillows at night, if we were only to take a moment and reflect on the things that happened that day, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we found many, many successes that we just forgot to celebrate.  If you are pushing and pushing toward a goal and it has lost it's happiness factor, perhaps it isn't for you.  Even if it's something mundane and unexciting as eliminating debt, it should still bring you some joy.  It might mean that you have to work extra hours, (not fun) or cut back on your spending (also not fun) but if you don't feel a sense of accomplishment watching that big overwhelming number get smaller and smaller, then it's not bringing you happiness.  And you should perhaps find another way to reach that goal.
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, your large goals are made up of smaller, achievable, daily goals.  Learn to recognize the daily successes you reach and be happy.  It's not worth it in the long run if it steals your happiness.

"Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you'll be successful."
-Albert Schweitzer

Success Is Sharing.  Success can be learned.  We are not all born knowing that we can have all the things we want if we just go after them.  Some have been trained that you get what you get and that's all there is.  That makes me so sad.  There are hundreds upon hundreds of examples out there of people who came from nothing and have made something of themselves.  They became successful.  They could go to sleep at night knowing they did what they needed to do to feel successful.
Success is Action, Determination, Passion... success is all those things but it is also learned.
One of the best ways to enjoy your success is to share it with others.  Don't keep it all to yourself.  Teach, help others to rise up from where they are and be the person they want to be. When you help others get to where they want to go, the universe gives back to you.  And while that may sound like mumbo-jumbo, I promise you that it is fact.  
Be grateful for your successes.  And make sure the people around you, the ones that helped you get there know how much they mean to you. Give.  Share.  Teach. Show gratitude.

"Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success is how you treat other people.  Your family, friends, co-workers and even strangers you meet along the way."
-Barbara Bush

Success Is A Continuous Journey.  Success should never be considered a one way street.  It's more than one street.  It takes alleys and intersections, mountains and valleys.  It goes up and it goes down.  It is never-ending.  One success will lead to another.  You're constantly building and growing and learning.  And when you reach your life goals... make new ones.  Keep doing the things that work.  Cut out the things that don't.  Nothing stays the same.  Be flexible and always hunger for more.  If you reach your life's goal and then quit, watch and see how fast everything will unravel!  You have to stay in the game.  Keep moving.  Keep growing.  Keep setting new goals.

"Success is not final: failure is not final; it is the courage to continue that counts."
-"Winston Churchill

Success Is Balance.  To me, this is the meaning of success.  You can have it all, and you should strive for that.  
Money - Happiness - Family & Friends - Security - Health - Peace of Mind - Hope
You need all these things to be balanced and feel successful.  Take even one off the list and you are thrown off-balance.
If you have all the money you could ever want, but you have lost your family in the process, that is not success. 
If you have the biggest mansion on the street but have worked yourself to near death, and you are alone, that is not success.  
If you stole the money to get that need met, you would have it, but you would no longer have peace of mind.  You'd always be looking over your shoulder, wondering when you'll be caught.  That is not success.
You have reached your goal but have lost everything else in the process and finally you lose hope.  That is not success.
We all know examples of the above stories.  The news and celebrity magazines are covered with them.
Balance is the key to success.  You need happiness, health, enough money to not have to worry, security, friends and family, when you lay your head down at night you have peace of mind and hope.  You need a little bit of all these things to find true success.

Not everyone's list will be prioritized in the same way, but every one of these needs should be met for a balanced, successful life.
If you are struggling to make ends meet, then I can see how finances would be top of the list, but don't sacrifice the other items to secure more money.  There is nothing wrong with wanting money.  There is nothing wrong with wanting lots of money.  The problem comes when that's your only focus, and it will cost you in the long run.
Your list will change in its order, but if you find happiness in each of these, you will be truly successful indeed.

"What money can't buy...
Money will buy you a house, but it won't buy a home,
Money will buy you a companion or followers but it won't buy you a friend,
Money will buy you a bed, but it won't buy you a good night's sleep,
Money will buy you a good time, but it won't buy you peace of mind."
-Zig Zigler


Coming soon, I'll discuss the critical success factors to help you reach every goal on your list!! Be sure to stay tuned and check back often!