At retirement he had a

He earned thousands of dollars, even became a millionaire! She defeated all her opponents at the Olympics! Success surely.

What about the lifetime janitor who provided shelter, food, clothes, medical care, and put his kids through college$%: At retirement he had a nice house paid for, a good car paid for, a pension, and $85,000 plus in company stock that would now be worth a fortune. He did what he wanted to do, and did it well. A success$%: Surely.

I knew a man that would only work on Volkswagons. When you needed work on a Volkswagon he was the man to see. A genuine craftsman doing what he loved. Surely a success.

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When a person, young or older, sets out to succeed, he needs to realize that success is not measured only by money or position, or by either at all.

The artist may become well known, and his paintings sought after, and yet be more or less poor.

A farmer may provide well for his family and yet never become wealthy.

A doctor may provide exceptional care for all of his patients over the years yet be relatively poor at his death.

These did something they liked to do, did it well, and was rewarded with benefits that money or position may have difficulty in accepting. Each knew what he wanted, got into it, and succeeded at it.

The phrase "knew what he wanted" is a key element in any success effort. For knowing what one really wants and enjoys doing will tend to cause greater and better effort which will result in greater success.

Young people especially need to realize these things.

And once determined what one wants and enjoys is accomplished, then the necessary preparation, the preparation that will most likely assure success can begin. And after that, or along with it, efforts that assure success are begun.

The rest of us need to make sure that we recognize that success can mean different goals, and different efforts. Then we will not become snooty and look down on others, but be supportive and helpful.

Success awaits every individual. But each person must determine what success means to them and then go after it.