Successful people realize true success is not always outcome based.

This truth is not one you will find in most success manuals. It runs counter to what the world says about success. But I believe it may be the most important of the success truths.

True success is the determination to do the right thing— no matter what the cost. And realize, it is very possible to do all the “right things” and still not achieve the desired results. Think of the farmer who prepares, plants, and does everything right—but the rain never comes.

As a matter of fact, if we are playing by the rules just to get what we want, our focus is wrong. But if you are playing by the rules because you find value in those rules—then you are a successful person.

Some of the world’s most successful people didn’t feel very successful in their day. Consider these:

• Although widely held as one of our greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln was skewered by the newspapers of his day. Actually, he lost nine or eleven campaigns in which he ran. Fortunately, one of two his wins made him our 16th President. 
• President Ronald Reagan was widely ridiculed when he stood toe to toe with Communism. His staff was stunned when he stood before the Brandenburg Gate in June 1986 and challenged Gorbachev to, “Tear down this wall!” (I suspect some of them were quaking in their Gucci’s.) But, today, he is credited as the most influential person in leading to Communism’s demise.

Bottom-line: Truly joyful people do what is right…simply because it is the right thing to do.