What does success mean to you Heres how to actually define it on your own terms

What does success mean to you Heres how to actually define it on your own termsWhat does success mean to you Heres how to actually define it on your own termsSuccess looks different to everyone.For one person, it might mean making a million dollars. For another, it might mean raising a big family. For me, it looks like being able to spend the night with my kids doing homework and tossing a football around. For just about all of us, successalso means financial freedom.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut no matter your unique definition of success, to obtain it, you must first do the work of actually defining it. You must first identify what exactly the thing is that you want to work to achieve.If you cant visualize your goal, how can you ever work purposefully to achieve it?The first step in building something, obtaining a key skill, or learning something, after all, is picturing it in your minds eye.Only once you know your destination can you start on the journey.This is true in your personal life as much as its true in your professional life, by the way. The most successful people I know? My girlfriends parents. Theyre not insanely wealthy or leaders in their respective industries. Theyre migrants who work hard every day to make a living.But they are so damn happy.Personally, Ive never seen a family so holistically in love with and appreciative of each other my entire life. When theyre together, if theyre not hugging or laughing together, theyre rubbing each others backs. When theyre apart, theyre in constant communication by way of their group text message thread. If love were a currency, theyre the richest people I know.And make no mistake this is no accident.Every member of this family works hard to communicate their love. They empathize with each other and individually work on being more self-aware, forgiving, and thoughtful. And they do all this in s ervice of one goal. They have a shared understanding, in other words, of what makes up their conception of success, and its that understanding which inspires them to strengthen the ties that bind.You work harder when you know exactly what it is you want to achieve.My girlfriends family is also an example of this truth you work harder in service of your dreams when you know exactly what they look like.Personally, Id estimate that being there for my family - and having the time and freedom to be there for them - inspires me to work 25%-35% harder than I otherwise would. Than other people do, generally.When you know what youre fighting for - and when that thing or goal is something you desire badly - youll fight harder for it. You wont take no for an answer. In the face of an obstacle, youll find another way forward.Thats why visualization is the first step on the path toward your perfect success.If success hasnt come to you yet, it may be because you havent taken the time to ident ify what it is that you want to achieve - what it is you want to fight for.If thats the case, start now. Be as specific as possible. Then let that dream inform your next steps.This article first appeared on Quora.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people