Think for a moment about what success means to you. You may choose to reflect quietly, write in your journal, paint, draw, or find some other way of representing your definitions. Choose whichever means of expression seems to you to be the most natural and compelling as you consider the following questions:

• What does true success mean to you in your life? Is it achieving material goals, enjoying the moment, and building wonderful relationships? What will your life look like when you’ve achieved your vision of success?

• What has to happen for you to be and feel successful? How will you know when you’re successful? Perhaps you realize that you need the assurance of others to feel successful? The more your success depends on other people’s approval, the trickier success is to achieve and maintain.

• What are the consequences to you and your loved ones of holding this meaning of success? You may feel that your success must come at a price – a coveted promotion versus less time with loved ones, for example. Think about how your definition of success fits into the rest of your life. What tensions may be created by holding values that are at odds with each other?

After you identify your answers to these questions you can summarise your vision in a single statement, for example: