Success And Value

If you are successful, are you also of value? The difference may not at first be very clear but in our society, we often look at those that seem to be a success and assume that they must also be of value. But, what does success really mean and once we know that, we can more clearly understand value.

One of the ways to determine the difference is to look at establishing a business. A lot of people want to have a business of their own in order to control their own destiny. There is nothing wrong with controlling one’s own destiny, in fact that is what we should all strive for. But, if you are establishing a business only to control your own life, to make money, and to have the freedom to do what you want to do, your business plan has already forgotten a very key ingredient.

So, What Is The Ingredient That I Am Talking About?
A successful business plan is necessary and this certainly includes knowing how you will attract buyers or customers, and having the right visibility either through location or advertising that brings in prospective customers. But, one question that you must ask is what need is my product or service satisfying? In other words, just because you have a great product or service, doesn’t mean anyone wants it unless your product helps him or her satisfy a need or want.

The more value you bring to the marketplace, the more successful you will be. And, this just does not apply to a store or retail operation.

An Example
You may be a great lawyer making a lot of money but does your service add value to life? Your specialty may be corporate law and you are very successful dealing with mergers or contractual law, or the proper share structure. But, what value does this bring to the world? Money or the accumulation of money may bring you success in terms of what you can buy or have or possess but money does not bring value to the world unless it can lead to helping someone else, or adding to the growth of understanding of issues or their resolution.

Success and Life
Success is a wonderful goal and one that we all strive for but there is more to life than success especially if it is not married to a life of value.

Inspirational Quotes for Reflection:
“Six essential qualities that are the key to success: Sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, charity.” Dr. William Menninger

“I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” Albert Einstein