What is success?

I was recently interviewed by the Institute for Success and Goal Achievement, i-saga.net and one of the questions I was asked was "What does success look like for me?" My answer was a complete surprise to me and has literally changed the way I approach life. For as far back as I can remember, there was only one answer to that question, it was simple, a no brainer; it's financial success, in one form or another. Money, toys, travel, big home, etc. Ever since I was a kid I was planning how I was going to get rich. I got into residential real estate, then commercial real estate, then went with a real estate developing company. I was recruited into Primerica, a legitimate network marketing company owned by Citi Group. I did quite well, I was making a lot of money in my mid twenties. As what happens to many people, I had some major life changes and experiences that caused me to step back and analyze my life. I walked away from my business, traveled for a while, moved to Arizona and reevaluated my life.

Skip a few years and I find myself in a career that I love, married to a beautiful, inspiring woman, but struggling again for "success"; idea after idea, how to take what I love and make millions.

Back to the interview, Pete Winiarski, founder of I-SAGA asks the question. My answer flows from my mouth as easy as water glides over a waterfall:

Success to me is witnessing the transformation of a puppy that begins a puppy socialization class hiding in fear from the other dogs or from other people. With a little help confidence slowly begins to build and over the next few weeks watching the fear replaced with the natural joy of being a puppy and reengaging with life with a renewed sense of confidence.

Success to me is meeting with a family that has been told there is no hope for their dog's behavior problems and either giving the dog up or euthanasia are the only options. Being able to help them understand what's happening and why, then helping them fix the situation and keep the dog alive and the family together.

Success to me is teaching a family how to teach their dog anything without the use of any force or intimidation.

The list is endless. Through this one question my approach to life is completely different. I am wealthy beyond all material things, I am blessed to be able to get up each morning to do what I love and to be able to change lives. What is success to you?