Everyone pictures “success” as something different. Perhaps it’s a certain amount of money. Or a house and car. A family. Or some sort of recognition – being published, getting a certain number of unique website visits per month, being on the news, being quoted. Or a particular job.
Where did you learn about success? From your parents, teachers, friends? The Internet? By comparing yourself to others?
Historically we had peers, our community, perhaps people on TV or in newspapers as metrics for gauging success. Now everyone on the Internet, ever, is a potential comparison point. It’s a big pond. With the myriad personalities, work styles, and circumstances out there, we see many people our age with the appearance of success in jobs, roles, or lifestyles we desire.
But compare and you’ll despair. When is enough, enough? What does success mean for YOU? What are your goals and values?
In “Go with your Gut Feeling,” Magnus Walker calls success “the freedom to do whatever you want to do.” I love the title of the TED Talk, but I don’t quite agree with his definition. There will always been things we don’t want to do, and there are always opportunities to do what we want, even if it’s part time. I think success is a combination of contentment with what you have, eagerness to keep reaching goals, and the flexibility to do so with integrity.
From Michelle Obama, “success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” I won’t argue with that.
(photo by Eva Jannotta)
