What does a successful life look like? When we ponder that question, we might first think of money in the bank, a beautiful home, and a great-looking car. Or we might think about someone who has gained fame in a sport, art, or profession that they value. We might think of a successful career. All these things can be part of a successful life, but if a life is not lived with purpose, these things become nothing more than external trappings. Purpose gives a life its heart and soul.

Success is the desire of every healthy person, isn't it? But just what is success? More importantly, what is success to you? To know if you are living successfully, you need to have a clear idea in your mind of what constitutes success. However, from one person to another, the definition of success is likely to differ. Take some time to look within to find your own personal definition of this important word. If you like, it could become a journal entry or part of your long-term life plan.

Everyone wants to be a winner. Just what is a winner, anyway? Is it someone who never fails? Does a winner always win every game they play? Do they succeed at everything they put their hand to? Of course not! If that were the case, there would be no one on earth who would qualify to be called a winner.

When we consider the keys to that elusive thing called success, we sometimes think of talent, money, or luck. In reality, success requires plain, old-fashioned, hard work. And plain, old-fashioned, hard work requires motivation. In a very real sense, motivation is the most important key to success. Successful people are those who can get themselves busy as soon as something needs to be done, instead of procrastinating. There are many other ways that motivation contributes to success.

Motivation is essential to all forms of accomplishment and success in life. Without it, we languish about and never realize any of our goals. With it, we can accomplish much more than we might now imagine. What are the characteristics of a motivated person? Do you have those characteristics? If not, how can you develop them in your own life? Read on to test and learn about your own level of motivation.