Definition of Success

An editor for a success magazine wanted to know my views on success. Here is what I wrote back:

Most people think success is a goal. I do not. I see success as a process. Most people define success only in terms of money. I do not. I think success is a combination of things -- health, happiness, material prosperity, love of family and friends, wisdom, influence, and fulfillment.

Here is how I know someone is successful -- If you are able to give from your abundance then you are successful. If you are able to donate money, spread happiness, inspire health, propagate love, share knowledge, motivate people, etc. then you are successful.

Most people think you need to work hard to achieve success. I do not think that is true. I believe the opposite is true. I believe you have to learn how to avoid work to be successful. I define work this way -- if you'd rather be doing something else, then you are working.

You avoid work by loving what you do. Loving what you do is infinitely more powerful in achieving success than all the hard work in the world. If you love what you do, Nature will show you her secrets. When Nature reveals her secrets to you, you have the golden key to being successful. Those secrets are the formulas for working less yet accomplishing more. For example, you can strain your muscles working hard to move a big rock or you can use one of Nature's secrets and use a lever. When you use a lever you work much less but you accomplish much more.

People who say they work hard are really saying they are not smart enough or creative enough or lucky enough to have found an easier, more effective way to accomplish what they want. Hard work is not the answer. Finding an easier, more effective solution is the answer. To find the easier solution, you need to be alert for a lazier way. People who work hard don't have the time or the energy or inclination to find that easier way.

www.lazyway.net

Comments

[Baher]

it's the best short piece on happiness that I've ever read.
Thanks for sharing it, I blogged about it http://drbaher.com/post/23298031 and email it to all my friends.

[Dylan]

You got it. Success is waking up in the morning, going to bed at night, and doing what you want inbetween.

[Benjamin]

Thanks for a great blog post, Fred. Always good to read more here.

Can't wait to read your new book -- when can we expect it, and will there be a separate blog to go with?

[shirley]

Its a blog is great for a motivation..nice blog

[Perry Lai]

Wow, I totally agree with your take on success.

Some things are simply not taught in schools. Through learning success education, I managed to radically change my life in 6 months!

From earning $12 per hour as a teacher, to earning $150 per hour doing what I love!

Real world education is what counts!

[Jen, writer MembershipMillionaire.com]

In my point of view, I think success can be achieved either from hard work or the lazy way. It depends on the circumstances you're in. You could have all the smarts in the world but what if you just can't get a break? I think we all need to do a little bit of hard work every now and then.

[Bobby]

i feel that laziness is torture to a man's soul that have dreams. I'm lazy to a certain extent.Doing something that i would like to do really ponders my heart knowing that i want be able to survive as an artist.

[Eric Hurczak]

One of the best definitions of success that I have ever read. I have to agree as well that there's always an easier, better or more efficient ways to do things. I don't know if that's being lazy or just smart, but it's the truth...at least as I see it.

[Susan]

This is a good article but the work lazy kind of ruins it in some way, to me personally it takes some integrity away from it.

I think its good to relax and enjoy life but if one becomes 'lazy' that can be a negative thing. Other than that I like everything else you have said and it makes sense.

[nero]

Is this blog a joke?

[Fred Gratzon]

It is only a joke to those who do not have a sense of humor.

[Benjamin]

CHAMPIONS: NY Giants focus on FUN and ENERGY wins the Super Bowl:

Super Bowl XLII was as much about *mindset* as it was about touchdowns. One team was obsessed with perfection, while the other side decided to play with their hearts and just have fun.

Which mindset finally won the big game?

Giants legend Michael Strahan put it in perspective: "We need to come out with more energy and more FUN. That [idea] blows my mind, but it has worked."

Head coach Tom Coughlin shares the same viewpoint, saying that to succeed they had to "be excited about it... have FUN with it ...go with it."

The Giants certainly deserve to enjoy every minute of success that history can never take away.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.rogue-success.com

Sources:
Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080202/SPORTS11/802020378/1049/SPORTS01
Giants.com
http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=26549

[Moneyonmyback]

I like what you said. Your philosophy is true. Your definition of success is credible. Try and enforce your disciplines for maximum effect. Focus hard and think of what to do next. Always think of the easiest way to accomplish goals. Never stop sharing, it is the secret ingredient.

[Juho]

So true, so well put again Fred.

The thing to keep in mind is, if you're going to be successful in the lazy way, you're going to need to have more depth in what you do. Just doing less in the way you've always done it, of course you're going to accomplish less.

If you have a deeper, more meaningful attitude to what you do, there's no way you're going to feel less dignified by the results even if you accomplished in five minutes what used to take you five days.

You'll know it's because of what took place under the hood, not the tip of the iceberg that everyone can see and relate to.

That's a good little dilemma to live with.

[Stephen Martile]

Hi Fred

I loved reading your free sample chapter, In Search of Effortlessness. I wrote you a quick email with an idea to draw more attention to your book.

I look forward to your reply.

Stephen Martile
Personal Development Made Simple
www.stephenmartile.com

[Kamran]

I'm sorry but laziness is HARMFUL! Ask me. The main thing I believe works for me is the fact that during my laziness, I come up with really creative ideas but more than half of them never turn into anything concrete because I'm "too" lazy to put them to practical use.

And it's been a year since laziness has killed me. I feel if you really love what you do, you have to be anything but lazy to make it work for you. Because my business is more on the creative side, laziness helped me in the past because it made me think well, but I always needed hardwork to get anywhere with whatever I thought.

Just what I think. No offense intended to the author.

[AJ]

I really enjoyed reading your take on success. I was actually doing research for a blog project that I just started, and this will be an excellent source of info to reference. Thanks a bunch!

[Debilio]

I sometimes say (pretending it is a joke, but in reality I'm sure of it): "lazy people are the best people a boss can have."
They think a while while staring out of the windows, bring the problem back to the basics, invent the easy and quick ways how to do it (without too much procedures etc etc aargh), execute it quick (they don't like work, so they work hard to get at the stage 'no work' ;-) )
But alas, then there is a new thing to be done and again they want to get rid of it quickly etc etc
So, you will have your work have done fast! Let do it by a lazy (wo)man!

[Annie Robinson]

This is so true, to be a success you need to feel as if you're not working for it. You are in your flow 'so to speak' and then none of it feels like work it feels like fun. The most successful people are great at this, they're having fun and raking in the accolades and the cash, like: The Don and little Rickie Branson.
I have just blogged on this very subject myself :)

[Ankur]

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Please comment on my blog and add me as a link

Thanks & Regards,

Ankur

http://managehrnetwork.blogspot.com/

[Mark - Productivity501]

I think people that work really hard sometimes keep themselves too busy to really think about how they define success. That is why many busy people consider themselves successful. :)

[Jerry R.]

I was just curious to know everyones thoughts on the movie that most people are calling the sequel to The Secret. the film which I am refering to is "the Opus." It claims to teach the true keys to success. Many people from the secret have come back for this film. You can find it at www.TheOpusMovie.com I enjoyed the show but would like to hear others thoughts...

[Benjamin]

Jerry -

I actually asked Fred Gratzon about his take on "The Secret" a while back. Here's what he said:

Me:

I'm sure that you're familiar with "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction"...

...basically, a modern take on Think and Grow Rich, saying that focusing only on success, wealth, and the things we want brings them to us.

However to me, it seems that people like you, Steve Jobs or Richard Branson didn't achieve success by "focusing on wealth." Instead you follow your passion and enjoy the ride.

What is your opinion of "The Secret" and "The Law of Attraction", and how do those ideas fit into your Lazy Way?

Fred:

Actually, I haven't read (and am not really interested in) The Secret, Laws of Attraction, and Think and Grow Rich so your synopsis is all I have to go on.

But you are correct. Focusing on wealth is a waste of time. Doing what you love is the key to success. Money is a fruit of an action and you have no control over fruits of action. You only have control over
action. It is better to treat money as a side effect. If your karma is to be rich then you will -- focus or no focus. If your karma sucks in that regard, you can focus until your eyes fall out and you won't get
two nickels to rub together.

It is far wiser and more useful to define success in a meaningful way. Money is much too superficial. Plus money is so damned fickle. No matter how much of it you have, you always think you need more. You should do things that bring health, happiness, family, friends, personal fulfillment, contributions to humanity, love, wisdom, and enlightenment. That is a life worth living. Focusing on money is empty.

[kits]

nice post, can influence people ☺ love to share it

[Michael Miles]

Wonderful post. Very much in line with my own thinking - I explore similar themes at http://effortlessabundance.com/