What does success mean? Clearly, success has a different meaning for each individual, depending on experiences, values, interests, goals, family, culture, and skills — just to list a few. Success to you may look very different than it looks to your co-worker, or boss, or even your spouse. It's even more complicated than this. To the degree you rely on others for support, feedback and opportunity, achievement of success depends on the external environment. And, sometimes circumstances change so that what you wanted and have worked for may lose its meaning and significance.

Some people believe luck is a primary factor in achieving success, while others firmly believe in their personal control over their own actions, and in the significance of each and every choice, in achieving success. It is also true that while many people spend much of their time trying to be "successful," very few take the time to understand their definition of success, and to make a plan. And what happens when you reach "it."

A key requirement for success is a clear answer to "What is your goal, and what is your plan for achieving it...."

And because career success is contextual, there is a second basic requirement for success: Success for individuals (and organizations) requires balance — between individual needs and the organization's offer, and between the individual's offer and the organization's needs. Achieving this balance (alignment) between individuals and organizations is a key focus of SSP's services.