The dictionary defines success as the achievement of something desired, planned or attempted.

Detours Are Good

Are you seeing a pattern here? Success seems to be consistently defined in terms of goals. Once a goal is met, then we can say that the person is successful with regard to that goal. A simplistic definition is this: Success is the accomplishment of particular goals.

In my mind, the problem with a defined "success goal" is that sometimes in our rush to reach one, we miss out on things. We can be in such a hurry to reach that pinnacle of achievement that tells us it is OK to rest awhile that we miss out on enjoying and appreciating all the achievements on the way to that goal.

If you want to be successful, you need a plan to achieve your goal. But if you set your course narrowly and without wiggle room, you may find that success is not all it is cracked up to be. This is why so many New Year's resolutions to lose 20 pounds by Valentine's Day are never achieved!

Some people do not take a direct route to achieve a goal. How many of us went straight from BSN to MSN/NP? Not me! If anyone tried to graph my career path, they would get motion sickness! But it worked for me. It's OK to get off the highway, meander along the local roads, and enjoy the sights on the way to success.

Fulfilling Potential

Perhaps success should be defined in an exploratory way. It is all about seizing opportunities and conquering them. It may not be about the accomplishment of these goals, per se, but about the sense of fulfillment fostered by such achievements on the way to meeting goals.

This is true with personal goals and those you set with your patients. As we try to assist our patients in living their best lives within the limits of their illnesses, we need to remember that realistic success goals may be as practical as consistently using medication when they did not before or getting that follow-up bone scan although they were afraid of the outcome. Enjoy the little victories and celebrate them with your patients. They are in the process of moving toward their larger goal of better health.

Success is not only about the person you are, it is also about the person you are becoming. It is about fulfilling your potential and achieving your dreams. Your success is what will bring you a life of joy and pride in your accomplishments. What if we looked at success as a daily exercise to do and try our best? What if success was keeping the plan in mind but not dismissing our walk to get there? Success is not solely the accomplishment of our big dreams and goals. Rather, it is living a life that feels fulfilling and makes us happy. Simple things are important to our well-being.

So, on your way to achieving your big goal, pay attention to the small steps. Realize it's not an all-or-nothing kind of thing. Maybe that end result won't look exactly like what you have in mind, but you can enjoy the journey!

Remember, the definition of success is different for each person. Have passion in your work and your life. Do what you love. Love what you do.

"Success is found in the journey, not the destination." - Anonymous

Laurel Halloran is a family nurse practitioner with a PhD. She is a professor at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and practices in the pulmonary department at Danbury Hospital. She is a member of the ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioners editorial advisory board.