To me, being successful means...
Being a content, self supporting participating member of society.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It’s not about money or material possessions. But it is about relationships and experiences. Having said that I do agree with the study that establishes “happiness” requires a certain minimal income level ($75k for a family of four); beyond which the “happiness” arc flattens out.
To me, being successful means...
Being successful means not being afraid to try, fail and try again.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to associate success quantitatively. Especially growing up in a community that values high achievers, never receiving 100% or A+, I grew up constantly feeling like a failure.
To me, being successful means...
Obviously being able to sustain yourself financially is one component to happiness, however the bigger part of the equation is the genuine relationships you surround yourself with. Authentic connections with family and friends become a higher level of priority as one matures!!
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being able to look in the mirror and be happy with the person looking back. It helps to have a secure home and loving family, too. But those are rarely present or quickly flee without the mirror test, so that comes first. Can you be happy looking in the mirror?
My definition of success has changed over time.
I learned that despite popular wisdom success is a group sport. I can't stand people who claim or imply that they "did it all on my own." The more I have scratched the surface of those stories over the years the more I find they are either delusions or outright lies. I recall one person I met years ago telling me how he had created a huge real estate empire entirely on his own, how "no one gave me a thing!" -- starting out with nothing, he insisted. I later learned he had inherited five SF properties from his dad. But he could not admit that. He just had to lie and claim to be a self-made man. What I have learned is that there is no such thing. There are just people who don't or won't recognize the people or situations that helped them.
To me, being successful means...
being happy with where you are in your life. Being able to look back at my life and be satisfied with what I've done, and looking forward to the next chapters of my life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Having a good income is nice, but labels and things have never given me a fulfilled feeling. My actions have.
To me, being successful means...
Being able to love what you do and where you are.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Feeling fulfilled in life and doing something you enjoy, life is too short to be unhappy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Yes, in high school I didn't try at all I barely graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA. It wasn't until I decided that I wanted to take school seriously that I excelled. I went to community college which I thought was easier then [high school] then pursued my bachelors degree and I am currently in graduate school and I should be graduating with honors next year.
To me, being successful means...
Happy and healthy
My definition of success has changed over time.
Material things don't matter.
To me, being successful means...
First of all being happy in my own skin and content with my own company and using that to make a difference in the world.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I was brought up to become educated and to earn a living and make a great retirement for myself.
To me, being successful means...
Happiness, finding your place in society, knowing who you are and what you want for your own life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I thought success was money (income).
To me, being successful means...
Being true to your values. People are much more important than possessions.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I went through a dark period where the acquisition of money and material possessions was most important. In the process, I lost my soul - my spirit. With material things, enough is never enough. I looked inward and realized that my values were being compromised and I was truly unhappy. I returned my focus to an appreciation for people and the earth - I enjoy my days now.
To me, being successful means...
Personal contentment with that choices I've made. Enjoying laughter, music, dancing, poetry, museums, concerts and the great outdoors because there is nothing like the weather, flora and fauna we grew up with anywhere else.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Career path equals money equals happiness is no longer a belief! More like a myth!
To me, being successful means...
Having a loving family and the means to support whatever endeavors they want to pursue.
My definition of success has not changed over time
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
being consistently happy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to believe that goal achievement and productivity through all odds defined success. That lifestyle made me physically ill. So I slowly realized what had to change.
To me, being successful means...
Being able to come home to my wife and kids and give them all hugs at the end of the long work day. Material items don't carry the same meaning as they used to and being able to provide for my family and see smiles on their faces means I'm doing what I was meant to. That's success.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Success as a youngster is almost always tied to finances. In order to achieve those financial successes, you needed to get a 4.0, go to Stanford, become a VC, or a doctor or a lawyer and so on. As you grow in your career, you realize that success comes in the smallest forms and over time they grow to something big. If money drives you, then work your tail off to earn as much as you can. If happiness drives you, then do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.
To me, being successful means...
being content and being happy
My definition of success has changed over time.
success doesnt necessarily mean financial success (though that is a part of it) but it includes emotional success (are you happy living your life?)
To me, being successful means...
Doing something you love that hopefully makes enough money to pay the bills.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Living a fulfilled, balanced life where I make a difference.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was in high school, I thought I had to do what was expected, in the right order, and on schedule to be successful. Now, thirty-ish years later, I know that the fact that I took a different path (put myself through college, graduated in my early thirties) means that I have a true understanding of what's important. I value that journey.
To me, being successful means...
Earning a living by doing what makes me tick. It makes me happy to be in my profession, and yet I would do it anyway, even if I had to earn my living some other way.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
I'm a musician/educator/performer. If something isn't working, I always have another opportunity. People like me are always "auditioning." Every job we do is a resume for the next job.
This is a collection of anonymous life and career stories from Palo Alto alumni for everyone. They shatter the myth that there is only one path to success.
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