Being successful is not like playing the lottery. Success results from steps that lead to self-actualisation. Overcoming hurdles, obstacles and challenges of life is possible and the experiences of some successful people have reaffirmed this. The word ‘success’ is subjective. It means different things to different people.

Drake Baer refers to some definitions of success by some successful people:

• Merriam-Webster – “the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame”.

• Legendary Basket Ball Coach, John Wooden – “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming”. 

• Acclaimed author, Maya Angelou – “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it”.  

• Winston Churchill – “Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm”. 

• Virgin Group Founder, Richard Branson – “The more you’re actively and practically engaged, the more successful you will feel”.  

I will however, use former Tanzanian marathon runner, John Stephen Akhwari’s experience at the 1968 Olympic marathon to define success. Akhwari was badly injured while running a 42km race. All 57 of his competitors had completed the race. Though badly injured, he continued the race hopping and resting at intervals. The stadium was virtually empty when he reached the finished line. He was later interviewed and was asked why he continued running, he replied, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

Today we remember John Stephen Akhwari but may have probably forgotten the name of the winner of that tournament.

I see success as ‘completing what you started’.

What does SUCCESS mean to you?