New book Success Myopia challenges conventional measures of achievement and explores the roles of purpose, character and legacy in defining a successful life.

Anaheim University President Dr. Andrew Honeycutt has authored a new book, Success Myopia, examining how individuals and organizations can become so focused on conventional measures of achievement that they lose sight of the deeper purpose behind their pursuits.

Drawing inspiration from business scholar Theodore Levitt’s influential concept of “marketing myopia,” Dr. Honeycutt extends the idea of shortsightedness beyond business strategy. Just as organizations can define their missions too narrowly and fail to see opportunities beyond their existing assumptions, Success Myopia argues that individuals can develop an equally narrow vision of what it means to succeed.

At the heart of the book is the concept of “success myopia” — a restricted understanding of success that emphasizes money, status, career advancement, recognition, possessions and measurable accomplishments while overlooking purpose, character, relationships, faith, service, personal fulfillment and legacy.

Rather than arguing against ambition or achievement, Dr. Honeycutt calls for a broader and more balanced understanding of success, distinguishing between “achieving success” and “living successfully.”

A central theme of Success Myopia is the relationship between achievement and purpose. The book challenges readers to move beyond asking, “How can I become successful?” and instead consider the deeper question, “What was I created to accomplish with my life?” In this framework, education, leadership, professional advancement, influence and opportunity become not the ultimate measures of success, but resources through which individuals can fulfill a larger purpose.

The book also explores the influence of modern culture on perceptions of success. Grades, degrees, income, promotions, occupational titles, awards and recognition can all serve as useful measures of progress, but Dr. Honeycutt argues that problems emerge when these external indicators become the entire definition of success.

Character is another central focus. Success Myopia argues that how we succeed is as important as whether we succeed, emphasizing qualities such as integrity, honesty, humility, discipline, courage, responsibility, perseverance, compassion and accountability. One of the book’s guiding principles is: “Never become so committed to what you want to achieve that you sacrifice who you are becoming.”

Across 20 chapters, Success Myopia examines the achievement trap, success without satisfaction, comparison, identity, relationships, burnout, ethical compromise, contentment, balanced living, purpose and legacy before turning to practical approaches for redefining the way individuals measure and pursue success.

As President of Anaheim University, Dr. Honeycutt has dedicated much of his career to education and leadership development. Success Myopia extends that focus beyond professional accomplishment, encouraging readers to consider success not simply in terms of what they achieve, but who they become, whom they impact and what they leave behind.

Success Myopia offers a timely invitation to rethink one of modern society’s most persistent pursuits — and to develop a definition of success grounded not only in achievement, but in purpose, character, fulfillment, service and legacy.

Learn More

To learn more about Success Myopia and purchase the book in hardcover or paperback, visit Dr. Andrew Honeycutt’s official website:

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