HEATHER PARDON: What does it mean to be successful? Ask any number of people and you are likely to hear any number of different answers. Is being successful about your career, your relationship, your financial status, your health, your possessions, your home or your level of happiness? Or is it about something else?

What does success mean to you? And why is it important to know what success means to you?

The dictionary definition of success is this: 'the favourable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavours; the attainment of wealth, position, honours, or the like; a successful performance or achievement." Is that what success means to you? It may or may not be. The concept of success is very individual.

Defining what success means to you is key to feeling fulfilled and at peace with life and yourself. Attempting to live up to other's standards for success may result in feelings of dissatisfaction or unhappiness. Living in harmony with your definition of success, your values and your standards will lead you to feel satisfied and happy in life. Live true to yourself and you're truly living.

I like Albert Schweitzer's thoughts on success: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." I can't say that I agree with the dictionary definition of success. I don't agree that success necessarily lies in a favourable outcome. I've found in my own life that success can be found in failures and the opportunity for growth and learning that they provide. Success can be found in having made an attempt, a move in the direction towards where you wish to go. Success is found in all the steps along the way.

I also don't agree that the attainment of wealth, position or honours equates with success. I haven't found that any of those things has guaranteed my happiness. In fact, I have found the attainment of things in my own life often left me with a feeling of emptiness and discord. I agree with Mr. Schweitzer, feeling strongly that true happiness, and what that means and feels like to me, is the key to living successfully.

To put it in simple and succinct terms, I find happiness and success in a life filled with things that I truly love.
What does success mean to you? How do you begin to define success in your life?

Here are a few ideas that will help you get started on the road to success:
1) What comes to your mind when you think of the word 'success'? Write down your thoughts on what success looks like and means to you.

2) Ask yourself what truly matters the most to you. What is important to you in life? What do you value? If you find this question too 'large' or overwhelming you may wish to break it down for different areas of your life such as career, health, relationship, personal growth, friends and family and so on. Jot your thoughts down on a piece of paper and reflect on them.

3) Why are these values important to you? What do they say about you and who you are? You may also wish to ask yourself whether you are living in harmony with your values? For example, if you say that you value good health yet can't seem to find the time to eat well, get enough rest or exercise, you may wish to spend some time reflecting on the life choices you are currently making.

4) Fast-forward to the end of your life and imagine what you would like to look back upon once you reach that point. What would you wish to reflect back upon in order to say, "Yes, I achieved success in my life?" What would you have to change in your life now?

What success means will vary from person to person. What is most important is that you know what it means to you and that you live in true harmony with your own definition of success. It is then that success, fulfillment, peace and happiness will all be yours.