What is Success To You
Success has many definitions; what is success to you?
Your definition of success determines whether you are successful now or need to do something to get to that success later in life.
So what separates those who become successful in life from the majority which are not? Even by their own definition of success, most people at the end of their lives are unfulfilled.
Part of the answer to that question involves your definition of success.
Success might mean (among lots of other possibilities),
- Having enough money to life comfortably,
- Having enough money to life comfortably and retire,
- Being able to do what you enjoy (writing, painting, travel, etc.),
- Having a successful relationship with your loved one,
- Being content with where you are in life,
- Being healthy and living a healthy life
- Having a job you like and wouldn't mind doing for the rest of your life,
- Being able to work for yourself and not having a boss
In my practice, I see lots of people who are sick and poor, but seem very happy - for them, they are successful.
I also see those driving a Mercedes and who are relatively healthy but always complaining about everything. They do not seem very successful even though they have plenty of physical possessions.
Often we conflate being "successful" with having money. Money can give you more options but it does not necessarily mean success.
Too often, people who equate success with money never have enough of either. To get more "successful" you always need more money; they are never satisfied - never happy.
I know a lot of miserable people who are quite well off for most of us. Some of these have severe anxiety about acquiring and keeping more and more money but never enjoy life.
We now have more free time than ever in history. We no longer have to go out and kill our food, raise a garden, cut down trees for a fire to keep us warm, or draw water out of a stream or well for a bath at night.
So What To Do
First you have to determine what success means to you - it may not be more money, or maybe just enough money so you do not have to work.
Some here at WA are not here to become "wealthy" - but to make a site to help people, maybe a charity site, religious site, or some other site for advice on various topics.
(Maybe they could call this "successful affiliate" rather than "wealthy affiliate.")
Figuring out what success is to you is the first piece of the success puzzle.
Once we know what "success" is to us we have a better chance of getting there.
Most people are on a rudderless boat which tends to go nowhere in particular - or around in circles.
Part Two coming!
So what does "success" mean to you?
Dave.
Recent Comments
52
This is a very thoughtful post.
I am successful in many people's eyes but I always feel like I could experience greater success. I think the day I stop wanting something better, I may as well just not even be alive. Striving for greater success is something I don't think I could do without
Thanks for your reply - I understand what you mean.
Sometimes "success" is a moving goal post - you are successful in achieving one goal and then on to try to achieve others.
Thanks for the perspective.
Dave.
I really haven't much to complain. I have a beautiful wife, wonderful kids, some friends and a hobby/sport that I really like. What I don't like is my 9-5 job. I don't like wasting my life while working for someone else (and making them rich). I'm hoping to some day have some "passive" income and build something for myself (and my family). Money doesn't bring happiness but I like the freedom it brings.
Henry
Great comment. Money does not buy happiness but it does not hurt!
But like you say, knowing what success to you looks like helps you know when you have achieved it.
Dave.
Success for me is food on the table and happy wife and kids. I could want millions but if they are not happy then what's the point. Having success can be very different for every person in the world. That's why we are all different from each other. Wishing you find the greatest success here and beyond.
Douglas
I think you are precisely correct. Success should not be measured in money but in how we are viewed by others.
Dave.
I mean don't get me wrong money is what makes the world work. You can't always have it all so what you gonna do other than work hard here to benefit yourself in the future.
Douglas
See more comments
Yep, Success can be based on more than one end goal ...
I was successful on my full-time-job as it was not a job for me but something that I liked to do every day.
Now, be an Online full-time entrepreneur is another ball game.
I have to work harder to reach the success I'm looking for - not on the money side, but more on the end result to be proud of that accomplishment.
Thanks, David for sharing,
Marc
Thanks for your comment and perspective.
Many comments note the same idea - that "success" is not just a one time event but is rather like a moving goal-post. You get success in one area and then move on to others.
It is always good to hear from others on this area.
Dave.