When I was in High School, I thought success meant that you make a plan to get something and get it.
You want a degree? Map out your school track and start studying. Once you get your degree you’ll be successful.
There’s a lot of talk in our culture about knowing what we’re going to do with our lives and having a plan to get there. The pressure is that we need to map it out now, or we’ll miss it.
I’m twenty-four, which means that many of my peers who are in the MLB are already entering the prime of their careers. Talk about panic! What am I doing with my life?
I’ll be honest, I really don’t know what I will be doing in ten years. But what if that detail doesn’t really matter?
Rethinking Success and How to Get There
John Maxwell’s book, Your Road Map For Success (Affiliate Link), has helped reframe my perspective of success and how I get there. He says success happens on a journey, not at a destination.
We tend to think of success as getting a Ph.D. or winning the World Series. But Maxwell suggests that’s a wrong picture of success:
- Success is wealth—a six-digit income
- Success is a special feeling—“the true measure of success is happiness” –Donald Trump
- Success is specific and worthwhile possessions—“If I could just have that car, I’d be successful” (or girlfriend??)
- Success is power—becoming President
- Success is achievement—writing a NY Times Bestseller
Our idea of success often centers on ourselves. What makes us look or feel better, that must be success.
What if there was something more important in being successful than how much money you have, whether you feel happy, and the kind of achievements you’ve made? What if there was a way you could actually map it out? And what if this plan was something you could follow even in the changes and uncertainties you face?
The Right Picture of Success
Maxwell gives three truths for understanding the right picture of success. They’re not formulas, just basic concepts that lead to meaningful success.
However, one thing Maxwell doesn’t address in his book, that I think is imperative for us as we think about what we do with our lives, is why we are created and who we belong to. His three truths are powerful for understanding real success. But first, let’s create a Biblical grid to read them through.
Why Are We Created?
Colossians 1:16 says,
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him.”
We are created by God and for God. Our purpose in life is not to advance ourselves or each other, but to advance the glory of God. Any life map that runs against that truth will ultimately end in failure, not success.
Who Do We Belong to?
Paul tells us in the book of 1 Corinthians,
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
We were once slaves to sin, but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we now belong to God.
People either belong to sin or to God. We are not our own. And if we have committed our lives to Jesus Christ we now belong to Him. The only true success there is in this life is when we follow His will.
Unfortunately, God doesn’t tell us in scripture whether we should be mechanics or carpenters. Whether our careers should be in teaching or business. But He has created us with unique qualities to fulfill His great design. These gifts are given for His glory. I believe that as we discover our gifts and passions we gain insight on His will for our lives.
I don’t promise that your future will become perfectly clear to you, but I can promise that if you take time to think through these three truths Maxwell gives it will help you chart a course that can be followed through all circumstances in life.
The first truth is this: You are successful as you learn to know your purpose
Where would you like to go? What is your dream? You live differently according to what you dream. Become a student of God’s Word and spend time in conversation with Him, and He will grow a meaningful dream within you. If you want to live a meaningful life, embrace a meaningful dream.
How far can you go? Do you have a negative or positive attitude? Do you have character in your life? Many incredibly gifted and passionate people never go far because of their bad attitudes and low character. Begin developing good attitude and character while you’re young, and you will go the distance no matter what you face.
How will you get there? A dream gets you going, goals help you take the journey. Expect changes to them, but they will help you take the journey one step at a time.
We don’t always get to do what we dream. There are times when God allows our dreams to die and that’s when we need to remember that we are made for Him, not He for us. But consider your dreams.
Maybe you don’t know where you want to go right now, but as God nurtures a dream within you embrace it. Set goals to help you fulfill it. And stay surrendered for God to control it. This can help you understand your purpose.
The second truth is this: You are successful as you grow to your maximum potential
What are you going to pack in your suitcase? In light of your dreams, talents and responsibilities, what should you learn more about? Focus on self-development, not self-fulfillment.
How will you handle the detours? We tend to view changes to the plan as a failed plan. I think that it is actually a sign of a dynamic plan: one that is continually progressing and becoming better.
The detour may be realizing you actually don’t enjoy what you thought was your calling, or a failed project. Maybe it’s a relative dying or a financial crisis. Detours will come, but one thing you must remember is that every detour presents an opportunity for growth.
How will you know when you’re there? Are you willing to pursue achievement over affirmation? Excellence over acceptability? Personal growth over immediate pleasure? These are a few landmarks of growth on the journey to meaningful success.
The third truth is this: You are successful as you sow seeds that benefit others
Are you taking your family on the journey? Meaningful success really has less to do with accomplishments and more to do with relationships. If you’re going to live a truly successful life, you’ve got take those closest to you along with you.
Who else will you take on the journey? Life is about more than yourself—invest in others.
What will you do along the way? Douglas Lawson said, “We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give.” What will you give to others as you take this journey to meaningful success? Pick a few people and disciple them. Mentor them. Include them when you do things that you want to pass on to others.
Go Live Successfully
The truth about living a successful life is that it’s not so much about doing something before we die, but about being someone while we’re alive.
Success is a process, not a destination. That means instead of aiming for a degree that gets me a high-paying job, I am discovering my God-given dream and doing what I can to know my purpose in life, grow to reach my maximum potential, and sow seeds that benefit others. Will you join me in this journey?
I encourage you to also read Maxwell’s book Your Road Map For Success: You Can Get There from Here. He expounds more on these truths and gives work sheets to help you map your life toward meaningful success. You can check out the book on Amazon by clicking here.
As you read, remember that your life is created to glorify God. Use this as a tool to help you be intentional about making His glory known.
