How do you measure success? Is it by the amount of money you make? Is it based on achieving a set goal or deliverable?
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, success is defined as:
a. the degree or measure of succeeding
b. favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
Recently I was asked that very question by a friend. Normally I’m not one who has a hard time with words… but I really struggled with my answer. You see, I believe that success is measured in many different ways and on many different levels. In fact, I don’t believe that there is one absolute clear-cut answer to this question at all. My measure of success is most likely not the same as yours.
Professional success? Life success? Romantic success? Obviously many people believe that success is directly proportional to their earned income, however, this may not necessarily be an accurate assessment. If your have garnered a high income, however, you are miserable and don’t truly enjoy what you do, can you really consider this success?
If you were simply measuring financial success ONLY based on profitability, it would be easy… and an accurate indicator of the metrics of your progress. However, if you are miserable, in the end are you still profitable?
Things gets more complicated when you consider that success is purely subjective. It is not your job to live up to someone else’s idea of success. Your accomplishments are yours and yours alone.
Before we can begin to measure our own success, we must first determine our own personal goals.
When we set goals for any area of our lives, whether it be personal, professional, or life in general… we need to determine beforehand what the intended results will be and how we will recognize when we achieve them. A major benefit of goal planning is that it will provide steps that you can use to recalibrate and think about your goals should you become lost on the journey.
Having a hard time determining your own definition of success? Let me help you by sharing some of my own personal ideas on what constitutes success:
- Believing in myself
- Enjoying what I do
- Being a genuine person
- Having a sense of purpose
- Making a difference in the world
- Constantly learning and growing
- Living life authentically and with compassion
Regardless of how you personally define success, know that it is YOURS and never let anyone derail your own dreams or goals.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” – Booker T. Washington
