CAREER: Success - You're the Owner

   When you travel as much as I do, you've got a lot of time on your hands sitting on airplanes and in hotel rooms.  I'll never claim to be a lover of books or a voracious reader. But I have become a careful reader.... and try to make use of things that keep my attention.
   
   Number one on my list right now is "SUCCESS is NOT an ACCIDENT" by Tommy Newberry.  What caught my attention was the book's cover.  Square in the middle is a green "start button."  To me, that's really smart.  What it does... is signal that you're going to take action.
   

    As the book states, "no one plans to become mediocre.  Rather, mediocrity is the result of no plan at all."

    I couldn't write it or say it better myself.  In the book, you're forced to define what "success" means to you.  And you have several opportunities to do it.  Here's what I wrote....

    "Add recognizable value to people, a profession, or a cause."

    I won't hide it from you, I've thought a lot about this topic since I was a kid dreaming of being a sportscaster and only a sportscaster.  I've had goals since I was young.  I wrote them down several times and revisited them on many occasions.

   To me, the result of success is not defined by money, but instead the impact you've made and the inspiration you've delivered.  Doesn't matter if it's a project I've been a part of, a speech I've given, or a television show I hosted... I always walk away asking myself the same question - "Have I left a lasting impression?"  Sometimes you nail it.. sometimes there's more you've learned.

    I don't agree with everything I read or everything I'm told... but I didn't put "organization" in my definition.  And I didn't put "family" for the same reason.  To me, both are about "people" which I did put there first.  And if I fall back on one thing, it's always relationships that make up everything we do.  They're a part of everything.

    I really like working at the LPGA.  I really liked my television run that included working at local affiliates and also Golf Channel.  I've really enjoyed starting HTK Media Consulting. I enjoy every speaking engagement and group I get to share with.  Yet, none of those things defines success to me.

    What I hope is... that in doing each, I help add value that makes it better.  That's a pretty decent legacy if you can do it.

     I'd love to get your thoughts... and as always, thanks for reading and sharing this blog.

Thought of the Day: If you create and deliver on opportunities for others first, many more will come right back at you.  Success is probably defined more by the people you've brought along or lifted up than the path you've taken.

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