TCM_Summer2017

CAN CHANGING YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
MAKE YOU MORE SUCCESSFUL?
SOMEONE ONCE TOLD me their three ingredients
for success were patience, perseverance and luck. I
suppose this can be applied to any profession. But
my wish is for readers of The Connect Magazine to
challenge and redefine their definitions of success.
I was raised by an incredibly strong single mother. I
remember asking myself as a kid, “Why does my mother
have to work two or three jobs just so we can eat?” Despite
how difficult it was, she always encouraged my siblings and
me to make good decisions and “aim for the stars.” I recall
her telling me that I could do anything - if and only if - I put
my mind to it.
While growing up, I didn’t realize how powerful her
words would prove to be. I made some poor decisions in
my youth, but I believe those mistakes were the building
blocks to my success. I clearly remember my loving mother
repeating her three ingredients for becoming successful: First,
she told me to always take care of my children and “Don’t be
like your daddy.” (I heard this one quite often.) Second, she
instructed me to secure a respectable job and focus on myself.
Third, she told me to take care of my wife so that she would
never have to work as hard as my mother did.
Those are all great traits to have and I somehow assumed
if I followed them, I would live a “successful” life. I learned
it isn’t so simple.
My world changed drastically several years ago when a
good friend challenged my definition of success. He asked
me, “Eric, What’s your purpose and passion?” I was so
focused on living a “successful” life that I had no idea what I
was meant to accomplish while on Earth.
After some thought and more living, I realized success is
more than having a certain amount in your bank account or
reaching a particular career height. Successful living to me,
in the broadest sense, means a life led by my spirit, being
unafraid to try for new opportunities, spending time with
those I most care about and living without regrets. In the
Christian Bible, Matthew 16:26 says: “For what will it profit a
man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what
shall a man give in return for his soul?” I live by this concept.
Taking a bold leap of faith while listening to the whisper
of my spirit was my first step toward living a successful life.
Starting The Connect Magazine has been one of the most
rewarding endeavors I’ve ever been a part of. Changing
lives, creating jobs, building communities and speaking to
souls are all priceless endeavors, which is why I continue to
enjoy working with individuals such as my Managing Editor
Lacey Johnson. We both share the same passion and love for
believing in the greater good and empowering others. This is
invaluable to me.
Looking back, if that same friend were to ask me my
three ingredients for success, I would now say to him, with
confidence: First, believe in something more powerful
than you. Second, trust the process. And, finally, surround
yourself with only positive and uplifting people.
I believe it is more important to keep your focus on your
long-term goals than to profit immediately by nickel-anddiming
your customers to death. I pride myself on giving
our readers, who are still becoming acquainted with us,
inspiration and valuable information - for free. I am also
grateful to my mother, who taught me the importance of
loving and respecting others.
I’ll conclude this message with a quote by Vincent Van
Gogh: “Love many things, for therein lies the true strength,
and whosoever loves much performs much, and can
accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”
CEO/PUBLISHER
THECONNECTMAGAZINE.COM
SUMMER 2017 | THE CONNECT MAGAZINE 5