There are thousands of books and other products that teach about how to become successful in record time (such as in five days, two days, or even hours), however, once we become successful, we have to know how to maintain that status.

In today’s society, you will see many different methods of how people define and maintain success. For example, those members of the elite club, “the rich and famous”, attain this status because someone, millions of people like you and I, takes notice of their success as well. Anytime we see our favorite celebrity in a movie, produce an album, create a clothing line, or representing the “face” of a particular product, we run to the movie theater or the store to patronize them.

Now, I will be quick to say that there is nothing wrong with entertainment because all of us need a balance in our lives. We can’t work all day and everyday without the fruits of our labor. However, we must change our perspective on success and actually attain this goal for ourselves in every area of our lives. And, not only must we change our perspective on success, but we must know how to maintain a successful life. There are many people who write books and “get rich quick schemes” about being successful in 5 days, 2 days, and even hours. Yet, once we become successful, we have to know how to stay successful.

But, before we can even delve into maintaining success, we must define success. The most important thing to remember is that success can’t be defined in the same way for everyone because we all have different goals and paths in life. A basic definition for success is to achieve high quality status in that particular area in such a way that benefits you financially (career), physically (health), and socially (relationships) for example. Take time today to determine and define what success means for your life.

Yet in still, we must be careful to understand that success will not manifest itself in the same way as in the lives of your friends and family. To an extent, you have to come to terms with the fact that you may not become a millionaire or one of Hollywood’s finest. On the other hand, you may become a millionaire or stock broker, and you have to be prepared to deal with whichever way success comes in your life.

On the other side of this argument, you do have control of your destiny. No, we can’t control everything in life, but you can make the decision to pursue that dream job, lose the extra weight, go back to school, or any other goal you have set out. I am a firm believer in the fact that if we take the initiative and take the initial step, God will help us to complete that goal.

Once you have defined success and taken the first steps in reaching your goal, you have to decide how you will maintain that status. It is very important to note that maintaining anything takes a lot of hard work. So, you have to be prepared to run into discouragement either from other people or yourself. You may fail the first time, but try again. Depending upon the situation, you may have to learn a new language or new skills, but don’t fear the changes, embrace them willingly.

Finally, take action, go out there and become successful.

有成千上万本书籍或其他作品告诉人们如何才能在短时间内获得成功（比如五天内，两天内，甚至几小时），然而，一但我们成功了，我们要知道如何才能保持这种状态。

在当今社会，你会看到人们怎样定义并保持成功的各种不同的方法。例如，那些精英俱乐部的会员们,＂财富新贵们＂，靠某个人获得如此殊荣，成千上万的人们包括你和我，注视着他们的成功．我们只要在电影里看到喜欢的名人，出了新的专辑，创造了新的服装潮流或者为某种产品做了代言，我们就跑到各大影院或商场去支持他们．

现在，我想马上说的是这样的娱乐并没有什么不妥，因为我们在生活中需要平衡一下．我们不能整天都在工作或者每天不去分享劳动的果实．所以，我们必须改变对成功的预期并且要确实在生活中的每个方面都要达到目标．还有，我们不但要改变对成功的预期，还要知道如何保持成功的生活．现在有很多人出书写关于在五天内，两天内甚至几小时内＂快速成功的秘诀＂．然而，一旦我们成功了，我们要知道如何才能保持这种状态．

但是在我们要研究怎样保持成功之前，我们必须给成功定义．记住最重要的事就是成功不能被定义得适用于每个人，因为我们所有人在生活中都有不同的目标和途径．对成功的一个基本的定义就是以某种方式在某个领域达到一种高品质的状态而有益于你的财产（职业），生理（健康），和社交（各种关系）等等．今天就抓紧时间下定决心并且定义什么样的成功对你的生活有意义．

我们依然要仔细想想成功不会以你朋友的家庭生活的那种相同方式再次上演．从某种程度来讲，你必须要面对你不会成为百万富翁或好莱坞巨星的可能．从另一方面来讲，你也有可能成为百万富翁或股票经纪人，并且你不得不要做好准备来对待生活中成功到来的任何方式．

讨论的另一方面就是你确实在掌控你自己的命运．不，我们控制不了生活中的任何事情，但是你能下定决心去追求理想的工作，减掉多余的体重，重返学校或完成你制定的其它任何目标．我坚信一个事实就是如果我们有主动性并且开始迈出第一步，上帝会帮助我们完成目标的．

一旦你已经给成功准确定义并且为达到目标开始行动以后，你必须决定如何才能保持这种状态．重要的一点是要注意保持有任何东西都需要大量艰苦的工作．所以，你不得不准备好面对来自他人或自己的打击．你也许第一次会失败，但是要再试一次．取决于这种形势，你必须学会一门新的语言或新的技能，不要害怕改变，欣然去接受他们．

最后，赶快行动起来，离开这里取得成功．