Living a purposeful life requires knowing what success looks like. And despite what your dictionary might tell you, there is no hard and fast definition of success. Why? Because success looks different to every business and every person. But if you take the time to define what success looks like for you, your family, or your business, you outline a vision of exactly what it is you want to achieve. If you have a game plan or at least an idea of how to reach your goals, you will be better equipped to define success for yourself and make intentional decisions on a daily basis.

The most successful people know that to define success in their own terms makes all the difference. Find out what success can look like, so you can define what it means for you.

Success can be making an impact on society.

Success can be defined as doing whatever it takes to change the way society operates or the way people live for the better. For some people, this means waking up every morning with a smile on their face and a burning passion in their heart because they are reminded of the simple fact that their work improves the lives of others. Further, this version of success is measured less by the personal profit it generates and more by the tangible difference a business makes in society and in other people’s lives.

Success can be making a difference for your family.

Likewise, success can be defined on a smaller scale. Instead of running a business that is focused on impacting others, success can also be achieving whatever it is that changes the way your family lives. This means working hard day in and day out to provide a life for your family that blesses them with opportunity and happiness. This definition measures success by improving your family’s way of life––whether that means being able to send your children to better schools or just having the ability to spend time with each other as often as possible.

Success can be a matter of abundance.

Perhaps the most common understanding of success is being able to live a life that’s abundant in freedom, happiness, time and love. For some people, achieving success is reaching a point in your life where you no longer have to dedicate your time and effort to anything or anyone else besides yourself and your loved ones. This definition of success can be measured by whatever living abundantly is to you. Maybe this means having the freedom to take family vacations and make memories together instead of being devoted to a career. Or maybe it means being able to invest in personal hobbies or anything that brings you happiness.

Now that you know these three ways to define success, choose the one that works best for you and your business to clarify your vision, your goals, and your path to get there.