Back in the day, all I wanted was to be successful. Even though that still hasn’t changed, back then I really didn’t know the true meaning of success–all I knew is that I wanted and needed it.

I use to wonder what exactly did success mean. Was it defined by the car you drove, the clothes you wore, or the number of zeroes in your bank account? Did it require you to be of a certain age or was it only recognized when you were no longer here? While I struggled to find these answers I continued to strive for a prize that I couldn’t identify. I spent years working towards a goal that I couldn’t translate or recognize. I felt like I was driving a car along a never ended road without a GPS.

It wasn’t until I discovered my passion in life (writing) did I come to understand what the true definition of success was. Like the soulful Chrisette Michelle, the meaning came to me like an epiphany,“Success is living your life doing what you love–and the money from is just a bonus.” I realized that having the ability to follow your dreams and achieve them is a certified success. I also learned that success can not be summed up in on generic definition because it is a personal achievement that can only be defined by one person and that is me.

This sudden clarity of what I searched for nearly half of my life was the GPS that changed my entire life’s direction. I no longer worked with a void; I was now filled with a meaning and purpose. Like Drake, I wanted it all and now I had it. My success now means reaching my goals–whether big or small; having options and choosing wisely; doing the things I love without worrying about how I was going to finance them; being happy; having freedom; having the opportunity to help my family and friends; giving back to my community; shaping a young life; being debt free; being financially savvy; being able to blend my personal life with my professional life and having the opportunity to meet amazing people while traveling the world.

Although I discovered that there is no standard definition of success that can be applied to everyone, I did conclude that the way to enjoy being successful is to enjoy becoming successful.

– Rashana A. Hooks

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Rashana A. Hooks is a writer and soon-to-be authoress residing in New York City. She is also the publisher of the highly-acclaimed column style blog To Whom It May Concern at Rashanahooks.blogspot.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @rashanahooks and Facebook at To Whom It May Concern.