A person of SIGNIFICANCE is always a SUCCESS.
However, a SUCCESSFUL person is not always SIGNIFICANT.
I don't remember exactly WHERE this came from - book or video - but I do know that it was inspired by something from John C. Maxwell that I came across with my studies.
Be sure to read all the way through the article before you make a judgement and also be sure to listen to the podcast and watch the video. The links are all found below this article.
There are MANY so-called "successful" people in our world and, really, those designations vary depending on who it is that is discussing that person. When you really think about it (or at least the way I think about it), a person can actually be "successful" in whatever area they excel in but, does that necessarily make them a success?
Define success. Yes, we could go to the dictionary but different people have their own definition of that word. What is it that makes one a success?
Is it the fact that they have built a business that has remarkable financial success? Is it the fact that someone has moved up through "the ranks" of a company to land at a "high level" of management? Is it the fact that a person can score a lot of baskets in basketball or excel on the football field? Is it the fact that a person can score a lot of goals in a hockey game? Is it the fact that this person has been instrumental in bringing a number of championships to themselves or the team for which they play? Is it the fact that a person has won a lot of awards due to movies in which they have starred?
Some would say "yes" and, again, I would say that they may be successful in their field but that does NOT mean that they are, truly, a success.
I do know that this does not mean that they are SIGNIFICANT.
A person can be significant and, for the most part, be totally "unknown" as far as the world is concerned.
Define significant. Again, we could go to the dictionary but, like success, people will have their own different definition as to what makes one "significant".
Here's what I think of when I consider the word "significant" - what have you done for others? In what way have you touched and/or impacted the lives of others in a positive way? What have you done to invest yourself into the lives of others in a way that has made a major impact on their lives that will inspire them for the rest of their lives?
How have you SERVED?
Yes, I know that many athletes, for example, are involved in "doing things for others" but we must also understand that, many times, these things are required by their particular team and /or league. That does not make one significant.
HOWEVER, there are some in that arena that go "above and beyond" that which is required and/or expected of them in this area and they DO become significant in and through their actions.
Again, you can be a SUCCESS but that does not mean that you are SIGNIFICANT. However, anyone and everyone that is SIGNIFICANT is ALWAYS a SUCCESS even if that person never receives any notice or fanfare.
Here's why I wanted to have you be sure to read all the way to the end. I do want to clarify this fact: A person CAN be a SUCCESS and, at the same time, that same person CAN be SIGNIFICANT. But one must take their eyes off of themselves and seek how they might serve others.
That my friend, is how one becomes a SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS.
Thanks for your time today. Until next time, always be sure to...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
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