Success has been defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. As a coach who works with people, helping them become clear on their purpose, this is a definition I especially like.

While success can be relative (meaning it will mean something different to different people), success really comes about when we are being true to ourselves, to who we are.

This thought came to me recently, as I eagerly awaited the preview episode of Iyanla Vanzant’s new show on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network), “Iyanla, Fix My Life.”

Iyanla is a “spiritual technician,” working with people on healing their lives from a spiritual perspective. I have enjoyed her work for many years, and I am glad to see she has a vehicle on television that truly reflects her work.

Iyanla’s Path to Success

I first came in contact with Iyanla’s work when she was on The Oprah Winfrey Show, when Oprah was doing her “Change Your Life” TV. Oprah had graciously turned the stage of her show over to Dr. Phil, John Gray (“Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus”), Suze Ormon (“The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom”), and Iyanla. I remember watching her, and being totally riveted, taking notes. She was so powerful to me, that I remember one time being on vacation in DisneyWorld, and realizing it was her day to be on the show, and making a point to watch—and I was on vacation!

Iyanla was being groomed by Oprah to move on to her own show, much in the way Oprah did with Dr. Phil. As it would turn out, Iyanla signed a deal with Barbara Walters for her own talk show before that could happen. I was excited to hear that Iyanla was going to have her own show, her own platform, so I could see her work more than once a week. And then I watched…and was disappointed. The show was nothing that represented Iyanla and her work, as I had seen it up to this point. It was another standard talk show, featuring cooking and shopping tips, makeovers, and celebrity interviews. The show struggled in the ratings, and was eventually cancelled.

Iyanla then fell off the TV radar for years, and resurfaced on the Oprah Winfrey Show during its last season. When Oprah transitioned to OWN, and began her LifeClass series, Iyanla appeared as a commentator, which set the stage for her own show.

What Iyanla taught me, as I observed this situation, is that, in order to be successful, we must be true to ourselves. Iyanla’s first attempt in television in her own vehicle was not successful because she was not working in alignment with who she is; she was being molded, instead, to be a reflection of what was considered to be the popular daytime TV talk show format.

My Success Points, For Your Consideration

So, when you are considering your own path to success, remember these points:

Determine what success means to you, because success is not the same for every person.

Let the work you do always be a reflection of who you are, and is in alignment with your core values. When you are doing your true work, you will always be on a path to success.

You cannot duplicate someone else’s success by becoming someone else. Bishop Dale C. Bronner says two things I have found valuable connected to this: First, that when you duplicate someone else, one of you is now unnecessary. Second, you are here to be a voice, not an echo. You have something to say, that only you can say, and that needs to be heard from you, in your own voice (which is your own unique expression).

Success can only come about when you are being you.

For more about Iyanla Vanzant, you can go to www.iyanla.com.

For more about Bishop Dale C. Bronner, you can go to www.woffamily.org.

For more about my work as a coach helping others discover their purpose, and become successful at it, please visit my Services page.

Your partner in purpose,

James

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