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    Oprah Winfrey Says Life Success and Fulfilment Is a Function of Your Response to Two Important Questions

    DunniBy DunniJuly 18, 20246 Mins Read
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    Death by medication
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    There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of success. People’s life goals tend to vary because different things inspire us and make us tick. So, what Brad Pitt finds fulfilling may be of little personal value to Keanu Reeves. 

    A group of happy people
    Source: Rawpixel/PxHere

    Also, fulfillment and happiness are synergistic functions of success. How successful an individual is determines their happiness and helps them feel fulfilled. 

    Are You a Successful Person?  

    Interestingly, as we established earlier, success is a choice. An individual’s success is subject to the goals they have set for themselves and an awareness of the roadblocks in their way of attainment.  

    Spacex crew recovery operation
    Source: NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr

    Like battles, humans can choose their successes. If something has yielded failure at each Iteration, the creator may be doing it wrong or have chosen an inappropriate definition of success. 

    SpaceX Started As a Failure, Judging By General Metrics of Success  

    After the third failed launch of SpaceX’s gourmet rockets, Elon Musk shared that his team was making progress and only needed to improve the design slightly. 

    Aircraft rescue and firefighting
    Source: US Forest Service/Rawpixel

    Anyone ignorant of the SpaceX team’s mission statement and goals at the time probably scoffed and laughed at them to scorn after that third failed flight. However, SpaceX is currently nailing scores of annual successful space launches. 

    Becoming a Phenomenal Person By Controlling Your Choices 

    Like Elon Musk and the SpaceX team, Oprah Winfrey can say a few things about success, as she has many milestone achievements under her belt. 

    Oprah Winfrey in Denmark to promote Chicago as Olympic host
    Source: Bill Ebessen/Wikimedia Commons

    Oprah braved the gender and African American dichotomy and went on to start a television network. She is the star of a very influential talk show, has a magazine, is worth over $3 billion, and is acclaimed to be one of the 100 most influential women in the world. 

    ALSO READ: This Young Wimbledon Star Is Richer Than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic Combined!

    How Pitfalls and Roadblocks Can Make Us Soar

    Things have not always been rosy for Oprah, such as the early tragedies of the SpaceX rocket launches. She rode above her troubled childhood and teenage pregnancy to script out the life she wanted for herself. 

    Governor-Elect Wes Moore hosts a gathering at Government House
    Source: Maryland GovPics/Wikimedia Commons

     

    Even after breaking through the escape velocity of gravitational poverty, Oprah still encountered notable roadblocks in her career and life aspirations. 

    Learning From Failure and Recalibrating Your Course  

    For example, Oprah, as the host of a talk show in 1998, sent invites to a handful of white supremacists. She intended to have an intellectual discussion about the extremism of their racial and societal views. 

    A picture of Oprah speaking during an interview
    Source: nayrb7/Flickr

    Instead of Oprah succeeding in revealing the intolerance and extremism of these folks on national TV, she later realized that the supremacists solely accepted her invitation to further their ideological cause. 

    Never Repeat the Same Mistake Twice

    After the realization that white supremacists were using her show as a channel to encourage more Americans to fall in line with their extremism, Oprah said to herself, “Never again will I host that kind of show.”

    Oprah at the University of the Free
    Source: Kyle van Tonder/Wikimedia Commons

    To hold herself accountable, Oprah shared her resolve with the show’s producers. Interestingly, true to her words, Oprah never again allowed individuals with such views on her show.

    Personal Values Are Key Determinants of How We Define Success and Fulfilment    

    In another instance of her successful iteration, Oprah decided to focus an episode of her show on marital infidelity. A man was accompanied by his wife and his girlfriend during the show. 

    Oprah's 50th birthday celebration
    Source: Alan Light/Flickr

    During the trio’s onstage chat with Oprah, the husband revealed that his girlfriend was carrying his child. His wife was left in shock and deeply embarrassed. 

    ALSO READ: Retirement Experience Tips by Baby Boomers Who Live on $1,000 Monthly Social Security Benefits

    Resonating and Getting in Sync With the Universe 

    After seeing the hurting wife’s reaction on stage, Oprah promised herself never again put anyone in such a tight spot. 

    President Barack Obama with Oprah Winfrey
    Source: US Embassy/Flickr

    Oprah said of that incident, “I said to my producers, ‘Never again will anyone be embarrassed or shamed or humiliated on my watch.’” Combining all these experiences helped Oprah carve her life purpose and a personal definition of success. 

    Using Resources at Your Disposal To Achieve Success

    Much later in her talk show career, Oprah would reveal that having a hit TV show with phenomenal ratings and the finances that come with it was not her definition of success. 

    This peach dress and pleated chiffon belt were designed by L'Wren Scott
    Source: Wally Gobertz/Flickr

    Instead, Oprah discovered that true success, for her, involved finding her true purpose and passion. Using the platform at her disposal for the service of others and self-actualization makes her fulfilled, happy, and satisfied. 

    Success Should Not Be Your Priority  

    According to Oprah, the actualization of success, in the generic sense, should never be the heartbeat of anyone who would be truly successful. 

    Silhouette during sunset
    Source: Johnsheep/Needpix

    Instead, she said, “Strive for the truest, highest expression of yourself… and then use that expression in service to the world.” Oprah then adds that if that is the paradigm by which you see the world, “no matter what your talent or offering, you will be successful.”

    What Will Each of Us Be Remembered for After We Are Long Gone    

    So, instead of judging your progress in any facet of life according to generic metrics of success, it is always better to identify the work that makes you feel fulfilled because it has impacted humanity in some way. 

    A Man Winning a Race
    Source: Mr Satterly/Pexels

    It is a given that we need to make a living by doing a job or starting a business. However, work ought to reflect who we are or who we project to become. So, making a living is not enough; we need to live. 

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