Success is self-defined. You can choose what you think success is, and you can always change your mind.
Interpretation
Success is a personal concept that can be redefined by each individual at any time.
This quote emphasizes the idea that success is not a universal standard but rather a subjective notion that varies from person to person. It empowers individuals to define their own goals and aspirations, and it acknowledges the fluidity of these definitions as one's circumstances and beliefs evolve over time.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal development, you could use this quote to encourage attendees to pursue their unique visions of success.
Whereas a lot of Buddhism concerns itself with stages of enlightenment, various precepts and moral codes, and even power structures and hierarchies, Zen is just like, 'Shut up, sit down, and observe your thoughts - oh, and by the way, what you perceive as you' doesn't actually exist.' I loved the minimalist approach of it.
I think people who become compulsive about fitness or eating right, a lot of the time it's out of fear that they're going to lose control or that they're not good enough, so I think anything done out of fear or motivated by fear is often unhealthy.
Many people come to self-help material because they feel like something is wrong with them or the way they are. The problem is that anything that tells you how to improve your life is also implying that there is something inherently wrong with you the way you are.
The first and perhaps most important thing to realize about being happier in life is to stop trying to be so happy in life.
Writing/reading is like visiting another person's brain. And a short book or article is like a short stay. You come in, have a coffee, talk about the weather or sports, and then move on.
I think humility - which I think is a very good value to adopt - is basically an extension of understanding your own ignorance.
Those who have succeeded at anything and don't mention luck are kidding themselves.
I wouldn't swap the era I competed in for anything, not a day of it. I started out as an amateur, and people like myself, Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, Tessa Sanderson and the rest did it for the glory of winning medals for our country.
I made the decision to turn pro, and I remember what Ali said to me: 'Get Angelo Dundee. He's the right complexion with the right connection.' He knew boxing. Our relationship was so genuine, so sincere.
We don't get paid for activity, just for being right. As to how long we'll wait, we'll wait indefinitely.
Only the one who walks his own way can't be overtaken.
People sometimes attribute my success to my genius; all the genius I know anything about is hard work.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.