The true formula to success, personal or professional, is seldom disclosed. Why? Is it because no-one really wants to acknowledge that there is no quick-fix to success, overnight success, or Success for Dummies guide.

World renowned golf player Gary Player is known for saying: “The more I practice, the luckier I get!”

General Colin Powell shares the same belief. He said: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”

A bitter pill to swallow? Yes! We don’t want to hear the hard work, perseverance and discipline involved in making one’s life a success. The media has groomed us to believe that success is there for the taking; dream it, envision it, and it is all yours for the taking.

But what is success? How do you measure success? What does success mean to you?

At this time, I’d like to share a well-known story with you about a fisherman in Mexico and his encounter with an investment banker.
An investment banker stood at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The fisherman replied, “Only a little while.”
The banker then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The banker then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The investor scoffed, “I am an Ivy League MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.
“The investor continued, “And instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would then sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution! You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The fisherman asked, “But how long will this all take?”
To which the banker replied, “Perhaps 15 to 20 years.”
“But what then?” asked the fisherman.
The banker laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”
“Millions. Okay, then what?” wondered the fisherman.
To which the investment banker replied, “Then you would retire. You could move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Life is not always what you envision it to be... sometimes it can be better! What do you determine as success? What is your ideal life?

Author's Bio: 

Helen Roberts is a gifted leader, a popular trainer at live events, a coach and a mentor. Her fast-paced, authentic style, her incredible energy and passion will not only inspire you, you will be empowered knowing you can overcome your personal obstacles to be the best that you can be and live an incredible life!

Helen has a track record of success as a Career Development expert, Executive Search consultant, Career Coach, Mentor, Entrepreneur and Career Transition specialist with over 15 years experience. She is a top 7 figure income earner and is one of the most respected leaders in her industry. She has assisted companies and individuals worldwide and has worked out of the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, US and Singapore.

Her philosophy is simple – she always encourages her clients to Find and Do something that they love. She encourages people to strive to be the best that they can be and achieve far greater success doing something that they love as opposed to working, doing something they hate, for a pay check.

Helen has assisted many of the world’s leading investment banks, & other fortune 500 businesses & over 50,000 individuals with their career choices throughout her career. She worked in house managing large scale recruitment contracts with major investment banking & accounting houses. She career counselled people at all levels to move forward in their career.

With the global economic downturn of the past few years Helen has worked with many people to move them out of employment and unemployment and in to their own business. She identifies business opportunities for people that want to go in to business for themselves and not necessarily be by themselves. She has a shortlist of the very best business opportunities including home business opportunities available in each region around the world. She has a broad range of options to suit a wide variety of career choices & needs. She works with you closely to ensure there is a good fit and it is moving you forward with your career development. Helen also assists entrepreneurs worldwide to develop their own ideas to go in to business. Her career guidance and advice is tailored to her client’s specific needs to ensure she delivers on any task at hand ensuring a smooth career transition