Success is more than just getting there

Every morning, millions of people rise, shine, and caffeinate like clockwork. Cup of coffee in hand, off they go, marching into traffic or logging onto Zoom ready to do the thing.

Ask them why they work, and you’ll hear a deeply philosophical answer:

“To earn money.”

I mean how philosophical can that be right?

But dig a little deeper.

“Money for what?”

“To buy food and pay the bills.”

“And the food gives you...?”

“Energy.”

“To do what?”

“Work.”

“Wait, so you work to buy food to fuel you to work again?”

Congratulations. You’re like a hamster. You are on a treadmill—powered by caffeine and cut-off dates. That is not living; it is just mere existing.

That’s not living. That’s looping. Like a Netflix episode stuck on autoplay.

Here’s the punchline: You can’t succeed if you don’t even know what success looks like. So before you burn out your battery chasing paychecks and food, ask yourself:

Success in what? For whom? And for what purpose?

Vague dreams produce vague results. Many want success but cannot define what success means to them. “I want to be successful,” they say. But in what exactly? You have to direct your intentions to your success goals.

Clarity drives momentum. Perspective determines objective. Your mindset sets your course.

As one story goes, a young man asked a bank president, “How did you succeed?”

The answer? “Two words: right decisions.”

“How do you make the right decisions?”

“One word: experience.”

“And how do you get experience?”

“Two words: wrong decisions.”

Success starts with clear intention.

Another little-known way is to apply what you know and whom you know toward your goals. Do not get me wrong. I am not implying that you should manipulate and use people to achieve your goals. What I am referring to is to is: ask for help.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a mark of wisdom. Don’t live on the “self-service only” philosophy. Leverage your network, but never manipulate it. Offer value. The world works on reciprocity. Use knowledge and relationships not to climb over others, but to lift each other.

Direct your passion toward your task. Many people are not lacking in passion. They’re just passionate about the wrong things, like gaming, binge-watching, gossip, comparison and even envy. Passion misplaced is potential wasted.

Limited resources are not a liability, they’re an opportunity. Sometimes not having everything forces you to discover what you do have.

But creativity requires fuel. Read books. Attend seminars. Write down ideas. Ask questions. Expand your mind.

Time is your most precious asset. Use it well. Money lost can be re-earned. Energy spent can be recharged. But time wasted? It’s gone forever.

You may not expect this, but a crucial step to achieving success is to present yourself effectively. Dress well and carry yourself well. Your appearance should reflect your intention.

No, you don’t need designer logos or luxury labels. But looking clean, confident and composed helps you align with your goals. Success isn’t just about how you look outside. It’s about what radiates on the inside, like honesty, gratitude and positivity.

Express, don’t impress. People are drawn to authenticity, not arrogance.

The world is changing at a rapid pace. So be willing to try new things even if they scare you. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Try. Fail. Adjust. Grow.

Some of the most successful people in history began with limited resources but unlimited courage. Be willing to say “yes” to challenges and “no” to fear.

And now here comes the most crucial element for achieving success:

You need to direct your success goals with integrity.

Be honest. Be consistent. Be kind. Success isn’t just about getting to the top and getting there, it’s about how you get there. Do not sacrifice your values for your victories. What matters is not what you have but who you’ve become.

In a world driven by shortcuts and compromises, integrity is a rare and priceless currency.

So the question you may be asking is: What is success?

Let me leave you with my favorite benchmark from Zig Ziglar:

“You are a success when you know that failure is an event, not a person.

You are a success when you are mature enough to delay gratification.

You are a success when you are filled with faith, hope and love.

You are a success when you understand that others can give you pleasure, but genuine happiness comes when you do things for others.”

True success isn’t about titles, trophies or even tenacity. It’s about living a life of value, building others up and staying anchored in principles that outlive you.

At the end of it all, there are only two kinds of lives:

One that serves as an example.

And one that serves as a warning.

Choose the life that inspires. That’s the kind of success that matters.

Catch Kongversations with Francis on YouTube and all major podcast platforms—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Plus, listen to Inspiring Excellence wherever you stream.