Reflecting on 2012 and creating a plan for success in 2013

Defining success is often the first step to reaching it

By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a group of high school students at CASH during National Education Week. A former teacher of mine contacted me, as well as several former Coatesville Graduates, and asked that we speak about “success.” I was honored to have the opportunity to speak with the students and at the same time began to wonder how best to convey my message to an aspiring group of young people.

As I spoke with the students, I realized that the points I wanted to get across to them are universal. Anyone can apply them as a template for creating a success plan. So, as this year comes to an end and a new one approaches, this seems like a perfect time to reflect on the past in order to create a plan for the future. As with any plan, itʼs important to have a goal in mind.

Some people view success in terms of their socioeconomic status or the number of letters behind their name. Others view success in terms of honoring their commitments, the relationships they have with family and friends, or where they are at on their spiritual journey.

Ultimately, I look at success from a holistic perspective. That is to say, achievement in one area of life is no more important than achievement in any other area of life. To be truly successful is to have harmony within many facets of oneʼs life. For you, success may mean something completely different from your neighbor or your family member, but the important part is knowing what you want to accomplish.

As I organized my thoughts that captured the essence of my message, five key elements emerged. First, find your passion. Many people react to life and allow their life circumstances to dictate the quality of their lives. Instead, determining what you are truly passionate about can give life direction. Determining your passion will help you decide what you do with your life, with your time, and with your energy.

The second point is to find your purpose. This answers the question, “why do you do what you do?” and creates meaning in oneʼs life. Sometimes people create new careers or opportunities for themselves after realizing that they are not living their lives on purpose. This factor may be the most important one because it has the power to inform and influence all other factors in oneʼs life.

The third factor in creating a plan for success is to seek overall well-being. (For more on that read “What is Wellness?” ) The key component of well-being is the being aspect.

A simple way to remember this is by the phrase, Be. Do. Have. The point is that success in any aspect of life starts with the person you are being. For example, if you want to be healthy, you might study lifestyle habits of the healthiest people on earth. If you want to be a good partner to your husband or wife, you might define the key character traits necessary to build a supportive relationship. In essence, the “be” determines how you live your life or engage in the task at hand. What you “do” next is determined by the attributes that you have collected and when executed correctly, you get to “have” the rewards. This creates an empowering knowledge that you alone hold the key to your success.

The next factor in creating a plan for success is to be a life-long learner. The real goal of formal education should be to instill the desire for knowledge. No matter our age, learning should continue. Many people have hobbies or interests that bring great joy and vitality, and by exposing ourselves to new and different ideas, places and people, we have an opportunity to expand our worldview and knowledge base.

Others may choose to spend their lives in the pursuit of mastery of an art or skill or some other aspect of life. Itʼs easier now than ever to explore the world and all of the resources that it has to offer.

Finally, I believe that a truly successful life includes some form of service so the last point is to give back. We all have gifts that we are meant to discover and share with our friends, family, community, and the world. Fortunately, weʼre not all born with the same gifts; the world would be a very boring place if everyone had the same skills and abilities! Therefore we have an opportunity and a responsibility to work together to accomplish great things. It may be a challenge to recognize your unique talents or gifts, and if so it may help to discuss it with a friend or family member. Itʼs always easier for others to recognize the greatness within you than it is for you to recognize it on your own.

There are no guarantees in life, and even following these suggestions does not assure ease or wealth. Instead, it offers an outline for creating a life that you can be proud of and one that brings you joy for years to come.

Matthew Lapp, MS, DC is the owner of Salus Chiropractic Studio in Thorndale.  For more information, visit him on the web at http://www.thorndalechiropractor.com/.

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