What Is Success?

"Success is falling in love with your he(art)."

What an amazing discovery! What does success mean to you? I, like many others thought that success meant having a lot of money and material things to show that I had arrived. Of course, we now know that this is far from the truth. Listed below are two circumstances that unlocked the definition of personal success: 1) Author Steven Covey realized that he had accumulated a lot of stuff so he sold or gave away most of his material possessions. Covey realized there was a more meaningful path in his heart that he needed to follow and he was open to the challenge. 2) Enduring an open-heart surgery at the peak of my fitness development. This reminds me of the many challenges God's people faced in Egypt.

Egypt in the Old Testament symbolizes a place of hardship for the Jews. It was a place where many of God's favorite people spent their time. Spending time in the desert however can be enlightening. Spending time there can rub you in the most uncomfortable way in order to awaken your inner self, allowing you to create a new person on the outside. One thing is certain, whenever you spend time in the desert be mindful that the situation will not last; that change is on the way. Change can send you swimming upstream to happiness or spiraling downhill with your back against a wall. Change can twist you up in a knot so painful, you wonder if God is angry with you and then He raises you up to motivate the world.

John C. Maxwell said, "It's possible to lose sight of your dream when you're working hard in the trenches. That's why it's important to always keep your eye on the big picture." Each day that God blesses you with breath, challenge and compete withyourself to see how much more you can fall in love with the art in my heart. It's not always easy you see. That passion for your work tends to take control and you may rub people the wrong way. How many emails have you received advising you how you should run your business their way. 'You need this in order to do that. Try this try that.' However, when that information rush occurs, back up and listen to your inner voice. Pray and ask God for guidance knowing that the art in your heart is dancing to a different melody.

Don't get me wrong we all could use assistance from others from time to time. However, building your foundation is a serious process. You have to choose excellent materials to ensure your building will stand strong over time. Be aware of quick fixes or fast company. Change is not always comfortable in either direction. Therefore, welcome a little power surge, positive or negative, to activate the art in your creative heart. I have learned also that rubbing one the wrong way will awaken you from your dead sleep when you're ready to open your heart's eyes. As a witness, sometimes that rub may force you to do so, ready or not.

In Pursuit of Authentic Excellence... It's About Y O U.

Be determined to handle any challenge in a way that will make you grow.

Les Brown

Founder of 1 Diamond Coaching, a Carolina based Life Coaching practice that assists clients with shaping their authentic purpose through self-identification.

Published on Success.com, featured in Today's Charlotte Woman, Pride Magazine, and Arrive Net Advertising and Marketing. Entertainer, vocalist and theater actress, she's traveled the globe opening for entertainers Chaka Kahn, Mikki Howard, and jazz sensation Phil Perry. Massachusetts Native, she resides in North Carolina with her son and daughter. For more info on 1 Diamond Coaching email her at adiamondcoach@gmail.com