Success is not simply the description of accomplishing a task well.  It is a state of mind which needs to permeate through the body and soul.  If we focus on the end goal, rather than the process, we will always fail ourselves.     

We know a few things about success: Success powers the ability to achieve.  Moreover it is truly knowing your goal and pushing forward each and every day toward that goal without regard for outside distractions.  If you’re able to engage on this uninterrupted mental level, achievement will not be far off.  

Maintaining a successful mental state can seem harsh or off putting others because it may present as a one sided drive/determination to achieve.  When you surround yourself with others who also embody success, they will not undermine your ambition.        

Now, we must divorce the notion of success and achievement.  We often think that being successful is about achieving some tangible reality.  But success, or being successful, is not a physical reality, but a mental state.  Achievement is the accomplishment of a task or goal.  Achievement is born from a successful mental state. 

This may sound confusing because we incorrectly use the terms “success” and “successful”.  These terms are understood as levels of achievement, but truly only represent the mind state of the person.  A person must embody success to achieve any goal.  A successful person is the one who is able to focus in on a goal and adjust their actions to make it real.  A college student with a dream to become a physician must be willing and able to sacrifice certain aspects of college life to achieve.  The harsh reality is that hours upon hours of dedicated study must be prioritized over any other activity they wish to engage in.  This is a successful mind set. 

What stops people from accomplishing their goals?  There are many de-motivating factors which impede a successful mind set and thus destroy the ability to achieve goals.  

Often life can become so overwhelming and troublesome that all we can do is sit feeling stuck with a distressed reality.  Feelings of defeat arise from a perceived or real lack of control.  When those feelings of defeat surface it is the job of the counselor to assist the person to take appropriate and real stock of the situation, and engage interventions designed to increase efficacy in the person. 

We can transform the stagnant and negative energy into a usable and powerful energy which then flows into a successful mindset.  Having a successful mindset must be fostered, protected, and cherished.  It is a powerful force which can lead us directly to our dreams.