Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.

When do we know that we have succeeded? When asking ourselves this question, we should forget what others think. They don’t know. We should be more concerned with our character than with our reputation. Our character is what we truly are, while our reputation is what others perceive us to be. As I have often said, having a good reputation doesn’t determine success. Neither do awards, accolades, or achievements.

Winning seems so important, but it is actually irrelevant. Having attempted to give our all is what matters; and we are the only ones who really know the truth about our own capabilities and performance. Did we do our best at this point in our life? Did we leave all we had to give on the field, in the classroom, at the office, or in the trenches? If we did, then we are a success at that stage of our life. But being successful at one point doesn’t necessarily make us a success at every point; and it does not mean that we reach the apex. We must learn to give our all in one success after another.

Paul gave his life to God. He gave everything he had to every task. Although he occasionally stumbled, he didn’t quit, drop out, or give up. His faith never wavered. In every situation, he trusted God, served Christ, and finished well. He knew that he would hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful slave” (Mt 25:21). He had peace of mind.

In eternity, success is also having done our best to allow God to do His best in us and through us. When we live like this, we will also hear the words, “Well done!” and we will also have peace that passes all understanding.