I just happened to see in the September issue of Success Magazine and the blog post by its editor, Darren Hardy, a quote of mine:  "The interesting thing is you can be successful and not significant, but you cannot be significant without being successful". I couldn't believe what I was reading! I actually had been quoted in a national blog post associated with a big time magazine! Wow!

But hold on...Mr. Hardy had not given me credit for the quote. Bummer. Now I wished I had not only said it (more than a thousand times) but actually written it down or published it in writing (other than a plaque that sits on my desk).

More important by far is what we both agree on about success and significance. It's not in the degrees you get, the cars you drive, the money you make, the business you own or lead that bring ultimate success. Why? Because sometimes you might achieve all of these things and still not feel fulfilled. And the real reason for the emptiness most people have? It is the confusion between success and achievment and significance and fulfillment.

"Like success is to achievement, significance is to fulfillment".  Dr. Ron Beasley

Like an ancient document I read every day that discusses "life under the sun", success and achievement are mostly about getting. It is a path or journey to find significance, to really make something of yourself and eventually be fulfilled. Success and achievement "under the sun" is often about "me first". "What can I achieve for myself?"  That is depressing, random and unpredictable. Significance and fulfillment on the other hand are concerned about what can I contribute individually and collectively to others so they can be impacted and come to know signficance and ultimately fulfillment.

"Life will never make sense in achievement  for the temporary but fulfillment for those things that last".

Dr. Ron Beasley

So, there you go. Almost had my name in a big time blog/magazine (which by the way is no big deal to me for those who know me!!). It's the message that is most important! 

rb