Can we meter success?

This year I have had the honor to work closely with entrepreneurs/ business owners. People who have sacrificed to achieve. Men and women who know the rush of success and the twinge that failure brings. As we converse about growing, changing, creating, dreaming and ultimately planning we explore their vital place in the marketplace. Why they are, Who they are, What they bring to their specific industry and to commerce as a whole. The answers create fodder for forward motion. Energy rises. Horizons expand. Questions are raised and roadblocks tackled.

The topics, while varied, have a consistent tone. And always quiet resolute tenacity mixes with satisfaction as paths are plotted. As I observe and listen I have become aware that there are two distinct groups of successful business owners. 

The first group houses those who have experienced multiple successes. They are business owners to the core. They have confidence and determination to go the distance. Success fuels more success. One learns to trust their instincts, their gut, the people around them. Over and over, skillful development of product and service affirms that the risks they take are solid gold. Personal success of the highest kind in action.

The second group I observed hold to a different kind of success. Success based in the fact that life is about fulfilling their destiny, about relinquishing to a higher plan.  These business masters are ones who are working towards their dreams. People that believe they are doing what they do because the world needs them. And because they are doing what they want to do, been born to do. These are the business owners that are making a difference, changing the face of their industry, one choice at a time. Slow steps of satisfied forward motion. Often unshaken by an economic downturn, innovation and inspiration are the fuel to their sustainable success. They feel privileged to be walking through this life fulfilling their passion.

Both groups have monetary success and the admiration their peers, and of their industry, whether narrow or broad. Networking is a consistent theme. And respect. The ever present journey to the edge of their sanity, coupled with the looming monster of life in this twenty first century creates inner bonds of strength. Fear emboldens the impact of each choice. And faith, no matter what their religion, is a primal part of each day. Both groups are connected, have solid relationships, give, participate in their communities and dream of making the world a better place because of their contribution.

I do conclude however, that there are differences between the two groups in how they filter their accomplishments. In my limited and not so very concise research, the business owners with a sense of destiny have a fluidity about their actions, a realization that ultimately and no matter what they are at peace with who they are and where they are going. While I cannot say that the senses for success are more acute, I can say that their definition of success is on a broader spectrum.

I will continue to observe. But based on what I know right now I am posing questions to myself: Where is my success meter? And can it truly be metered? Am I satisfied today? If I am, well, then today was successful. If I can continue - daily observing, daily aware, daily triumphant... is that enough?