"What does it mean to be Successful?"

An old family friend from my home ward gave me a book as a bridal shower gift. And I haven't been able to sit down and read it until now, since I'm riding the metro to work more often. "Life's Greatest Lessons" by Hal Urban.
I've been on a kick of reading inspirational books about CEOs and famous people that have found true success in life. Like Neil Cavuto's "More Than Money" (he's got a great financial news show on FOX News that I watch pretty much everyday at work!), of which he writes a chapter about LDS/millionaire/philanthropist/cancer survivor many times over, John Huntsman. In fact, I believe John Huntsman has a book coming out called, "Winners Never Cheat", out May 1.
I'm not sure why I've enjoyed these books lately. Perhaps, it's because I've suddenly found myself in a very "climb the corporate/social ladder" society here on the east coast and joined the ranks of the working woman. It was cool for a while, to be in the hub of excitement and action, but I guess I'm just too down-to-earth to even fit in. I just don't talk like they do, dress like they do, or even think like they do. So I guess these books inspire me to see that even those few that have climbed that ladder "successfully", in the world's sense, are still grounded and "successful" in a higher sense.

Here's an excerpt from Hal Urban's book...

The great philosopher Thomas Carlyle once wrote, "Let each become all that he was created capable of being." I can't think of a better definition of success. Life challenges us every day to develop our capabilities to the fullest. We're successful when we reach for the highest that's within us - when we give the best we have.

*Successful people accept life as it is, with all its difficulties and challenges. They adapt to it rather than complain about it. They accept responsibility for their own lives instead of blaming or making excuses. They say YES to life in spite of its negative elements and make the most of it, no matter what the circumstances.

*Successful people develop and maintain a positive attitude toward life. They look for good in others and in the world, and usually seem to find it. They see life as a series of opportunities and possibilities, and always explore them.

*Successful people build good relationships. They're sensitive to the needs and feeling of others. They're considerate and respectful. They have a way of bringing out the best in other people

*Successful people have a sense of direction and purpose - they know where they're going. They set goals, accomplish them, and then set new goals. They accept and enjoy challenges.

*Successful people have a strong desire to learn: about life, the world, and themselves. They see learning as a joy, not a duty. They continually enrich their lives by learning new things and improving themselves. They are always discovering, always growing.

*Successful people are action-oriented. They get things done because they're not afraid of hard work, and they don't waste time. They use it in constructive ways. They don't get into ruts or become bored because they're too busy looking for new experiences.

*Successful people maintain high standards in their personal conduct. They know that honest is one of the main ingredients in the character of a good person. They are consistently truthful in both their private and public lives.

*Successful people understand the difference between existing and living, and always choose the latter. They get the most out of life because they put the most into it. They reap what they sow. And they enjoy life to the fullest.

Our Potential for Real Success
In our society today, large numbers of ... people never fulfill their potentialities. Their environment may not stimulate such fulfillment, or it may actually stunt growth ... Our strength, creativity, and growth as a society depend upon our capacity to develop the talents and potentialities of our people. ~ John Gardner

Well, I'm inspired! Wish I could see the good in some of my coworkers... "note to self, don't talk to some of those coworkers."