“If I had to embrace a definition of success, it would be that success is making the best choices we can…and accepting them.”
-Sheryl Sandberg
If there is ever someone that can claim to have the definition to success the Chief Operation Officer of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg does. As she mentions in today’s quote success comes from making the best choices we can and accepting them: good or bad, no matter the results. Now we know that everyone will have their own definition of success based on their own experiences they have encountered throughout their life. Some may base it on the amount of money they may have accumulated over time or the number of lives they may have impacted. For Sheryl Sandberg, it came down to choices and accepting them.
In looking into this quote deeper we know that unless we choose to even make a choice or decision our lives will remain stagnant. When we do nothing about something we are actually making a choice too. In trying to make the best choice possible one must make sure to gather all of the facts and information necessary in order to make the best decision possible. Even with all the facts and information you have does the decision always turn out well? No. This is where it is important to make sure to remember that last part of Sheryl Sandberg’s quote: accepting them-it’s outcome.
Accepting that outcome is probably one of the most difficult things to do for anyone, especially if the result was not a good one. But remember, while we are accepting the outcome, it doesn’t mean we have to like it. We have the opportunity to adjust the winds in our sails so to speak and learn from the choices or decisions we made. If we do this we will become stronger and more importantly wiser as an individual. We grow and learn from the result of that choice either way and I believe puts on the path towards being a success in life. Success in my opinion is progress achieved over time and is something that must always maintained much like we do maintenance for our cars: in order for them to continue to successfully run we must monitor its progress or lack there of and this is only possible by making certain choices along the way as to whether to fix it or not. Success is all based on the choices we make.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards developing your responsible decision making skills?
Becoming The Change 