When you think of being considered successful, what picture is painted in your mind? Everyone has a very different answer to that question. Success can be measured in a lot of different ways, and one person’s definition of success can be the exact opposite of the individual sitting next to them.
Although I may not be making the big bucks, have a fancy title at work, live in a mansion, or drive a luxury car, I feel pretty successful in my current life. Sure, there are goals and ambitions I have and dreams that I want to make happen, but I feel I’ve fulfilled my own version of success.
So how do I measure success in my own life? I feel successful that I’m able to bring a part-time income into my home running my freelance business while also getting to be a stay-at-home Mom to my baby girl. That is my dream life, and I feel blessed every day to be living it. My version of success may be an extremely simple one, but it’s my definition of successful in my own life, and I feel like I’ve “made it” in that sense.
However, I don’t believe that my definition of success is one that will (or should) apply to everyone. There are many other ways to measure success, and just because they are different from my own version doesn’t make them any less valid.
Other ways to measure success in business:
- The income you earn
- Fulfillment in the work that you do
- Earning a particular title
- Owning your own business and being your own boss
Although some of these potential criteria for measuring success aren’t necessarily measurements I use for evaluating my own success, that doesn’t mean that they are wrong to use as indicators as to whether or not you feel successful yourself. Will you feel successful if you reach a certain income level, or perhaps own a business someday so that you’re the one calling the shots? Then that’s great, and I encourage you to set out and make those goals happen!
Other ways to measure success in your personal life:
- Becoming a parent
- Deciding to spend your life with someone you love (whether that means getting married or not)
- Being able to buy the house of your dreams
- Having the ability to travel around the world
Maybe all you’ve ever dreamed of in life is to get married and have a family. And when that happens, you will be entirely successful. There is nothing wrong with that! Don’t let outside influences tell you that you aren’t successful until you’ve had a powerful career or can afford fancy things. If you had the desire in your heart for something and you were able to achieve that goal and feel fulfilled as a result, then you are successful.
Everyone has their own definition of what success looks like in both business and life. The beauty is that everyone has their own standard. At the end of the day, the only way to know if you’ve “arrived” in life is if you feel as though you’ve “arrived”. There are so many different ways that everyone measures success, so what really matters is if you live up to your own definition of success and be true to yourself in what you really desire out of life.
What does being successful mean to you? How do you measure success in your own life?
My definition of success was always pretty embarrassing, so I rarely verbalized it. I like that you make it clear that it’s an individual definition and that it’s okay, whatever it may be. This is such a “feel good” site. I just love it! 🙂
It really is okay, I thought for awhile that my version of success needed to look a certain way instead of listening to my heart. That didn’t make for a very happy Christina! Thanks so much Kay 🙂
Hi Christina! I really love this post. I think that when we think of the word success, we can offer picture briefcases, crisp suits and urban high-rises, but that can be so far from what success really means. Success for me is knowing that I did something that made an impact every single day… and that I pursued my deepest desires in some way. I don’t write about this on my blog often, but I went to Harvard and I know that the image of “success” does not convert into the feelings or satisfaction that success is supposed to bring. We can definitely seek to be successful in small and lasting ways, whether we’re ever on a Top 100 list or not. Again, this is such a great post!!
So so true Daisy! That is awesome, and does not surprise me at all. You are extremely intelligent and it shows in your writing 🙂 You must also be one of the most humble Harvard grads I’ve ever known, which is a true testament to the way you live your life!
My view of success is constantly evolving, and oftentimes I end up defining it in a few different areas versus one holistic definition. I think being able to build a business and sell it would be a “success” in my books, though other things come into play as far as how successful the sale truly was (how much time/money/energy did it take to build the business? how much did it sell for? etc.). I’m constantly rethinking what career success looks like to me, as well as what would be a “successful” personal life. One problem I run into is not looking at it holistically despite the fact every area of life overlaps.
Great point, DC! My view is constantly evolving too now that I think of it. I’m sure that my version of success will look a lot different in even just a few years once all my kids are in school full-time. Very true, it is hard to find that balance to make it all work!
Yeah it’s crazy how quickly your definition can change. I think most people can agree that becoming financially independent is one of the measuring sticks of success. The counter-argument would be if you live a life that involves sacrificing for others at the expense of yourself…that person could be successful while never truly becoming financially independent.
Good point DC! Becoming financially independent is a top measuring point for many I think!
Aha! This is so true! Why do we feel success is a package granted by how others perceive us? Success would probably correlate better with contentment. If we are content, who cares what success is supposed to look like!
Absolutely Jayleen, I love that! 🙂 I do feel successful when I feel content!
I go back and forth in how much I feel successful. But overall, despite plenty of money problems, I think I do.
I have a disability, and in my 20s, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to work. Now I’m not only working, I’m actually supporting both my husband and myself. (My husband is now on disability.)
Of course, I wish he could bring in more than what Social Security pays. It means I could take less overtime.
But I do feel good knowing that I’m able to provide for us. The job also meant we could buy a place with a guest house, so my in-laws had a place to live. And if it ends up being in the cards, we’ll be able to support a child.
That sounds pretty dang successful to me, Abigail! 🙂
Great post!! And so true! My definition of success is similar to yours 🙂 At this point in my life, I’m doing exactly what I love. I will say, though, that my definition will change once my girls are in school. I would then like to devote more time to my freelancing career and increase my income. Overall, though, I’m very happy with where I’m at!!
Thanks Sarah! Haha yup, I think mine will too once school comes along. That will be a big game changer!
You know, it changes as I grow more “mature”. I know now that the title I have at work, while an indicator of success to others, isn’t too me.
That’s so awesome that you realize that about yourself Tre!
Great post. I love my mom dearly, but sometimes we don´t see eye to eye. More than anything, she wants me and my husband to make tons of money, by being high powered executives at huge companies, or something. Lol, he wants to be a high school teacher, and me, well, I´m still figuring out my path. I know she loves us, but I´m trying to ease her in to understanding we´ll probably be middle-class when it´s all said and done, and that that´s okay. 🙂
That’s a tough one when you have a parent who doesn’t quite understand the lifestyle you are trying to create for yourself. It sounds like you are handling it with a lot of grace, Chela! I think it’s great that you are staying true to yourself in the process 🙂