WHAT IS SUCCESS?

Since I use the words "success" and "successful"
throughout this book, I think it is important at the outset
that I define those terms.
As I use it, "success" has nothing to do with prestige
symbols, but with creative accomplishment. Rightly
speaking no man should attempt to be "a success," but
every man can and should attempt to be "successful."
Trying to be "a success" in terms of acquiring prestige
symbols and wearing certain badges leads to neuroticism,
and frustration and unhappiness. Striving to be "successful"
brings not only material success, but satisfaction, fulfillment
and happiness.
Noah Webster defined success as "the satisfactory
accomplishment of a goal sought for." Creative striving
for a goal that is important to you as a result of your own
deep-felt needs, aspirations and talents (and not the symbols
which the "Joneses" expect you to display) brings
happiness as well as success because you will be functioning
as you were meant to function. Man is by nature a
goal-striving being. And because man is "built that way"
he is not happy unless he is functioning as he was made
to function—as a goal-striver. Thus true success and true
happiness not only go together but each enhances the
other.