Its definition is very simple and yet we can further analyze it as follows:
1)If there is no goal, there is no point to discuss whether there is success or not. When one say it is hard to define what “SUCCESS” is, it is just that we have not set a goal. Everyone’s goal is different and evens the goals for one will change with time, the meaning of success will change according to the goal being set.
2)Only when the goal set is achieved can we say SUCCESS is achieved. If A’s goal is to save $10,000 last year and yet A can only save up $9,999, A does not achieve “SUCCESS” according to A’s plan. However, B may think that A is very successful according to B’s standard of goal of saving for last year.
3) Success is very unique to everyone. The standard will vary from people to people. However, we can simply classify into 3 standards: your standard, my standard and the majority standard. When we are having a heated argument on “What is the definition of SUCCESS”? It is because we are having different standard. Usually we use our standard or goal to measure others’ success. For example, I may regard your success of owning $100 Million as nothing special and you may regard my hard work and passion for doing things I like as nothing special. Different organization can also have different standard to define the success of their organizations. In some cases, their definitions may be the exact opposite of each other.

The popular definition of SUCCESS is someone who own enormous wealth, fame and social status. Yet, my definition of success may be just living a simple life by doing a simple job, which requires no passion or hard work.. There is no way to say what standard is correct as everyone has different standard of measurement.

The key is that we have to set our own standard of success or else we will follow others. Also, we have to respect others’ standard in order to better understand others and the society at large.
4)Success is a neutral concept.
As success is measured against whether the set goal has been achieved or not. As a result, the good guy can have success while the bad gay can have success too. For example, when a pick-pocket successfully stole your mobile phone, he would say to himself “yes, I did it”. Of course, his success is not recognized by the society.
5)Success that can measured is more meaningful
People like to set goals such as “earn more money”, “live a passionate life”, “have more fame”, “spend more time with kids”. The problem of these goals is that they are not quantifiable and vague. The best we can say of these goals are that they are thoughts or wishes. When we say it is hard to measure success, it may be due to the setting of unquantifiable goals.

@Tom – Powerful analogy!

@Tom – Now that’s an interesting take. Maybe what you’ve just said is more of “setting goals” – so things like hitting a particular income etc. So your view of success is perhaps achieving goals. Thanks for getting my book Tom. Do let me know what you think of it Great to hear you’re writing a book as well. You can send me more details to stanley at stanleytang . com

By the way, I picked up your book eMillions, and I’m definitely a fan.. (The said retail job happens to be Barnes & Noble, so I was able to order it in.) I’m even writing my own book now dealing with internet marketing, and if you’d want to be included, I’d very much like to put you in. Just let me know if you’re interested, and great job on this blog (again).. There’s some good stuff in here.

Tom Ness

Some very good answers here. Thanks!