To me, being successful means...
Having a positive impact on the world that will live beyond you. And earning enough for family to be comfortable and have fun.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Focus has shifted from monetary success to impact on others. But, most who say money matters less probably have plenty.
To me, being successful means...
Accomplishing the goals I set out for myself. These change over time, but they more or less always point to building a career in an industry I am interested in and enjoy (so that working won't feel like "work"), having emotionally satisfying and rewarding relationships, and consistently working to improve my life as well as the lives of those around me.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to believe success was numbers-based (grades, scores, salaries, etc). Numbers don't tell a story, though.
To me, being successful means...
A loving family, good friends, good health, financial security, a positive attitude, enjoying life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Yes and no. I believe these goals were always there, just not articulated in my consciousness earlier in life.
To me, being successful means...
Doing what you love and making a difference in the world.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I first entered high school, I visualized success as a formula: You had to receive excellent grades on your transcript, participate in a plethora of extracurricular activities that proved to be meaningless over time, be athletic and play sports, be involved with music and instruments, and still maintain a healthy social and family life. It was basically to do the impossible, and I realized that being able to juggle all of these different activities is unhealthy and negatively impacts a lot of people around you. Biting off more than you can chew does not make you look cool or capable, it just makes you look stupid. I learned to cut back unnecessary commitments and activities, and to indulge in the ones that I loved rather than the ones that I felt obligated to do.
To me, being successful means...
Finding and surrounding myself with things that make me happy, and emotionally and creatively fulfilled.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think that being successful meant going to a good college, graduating and getting a good job that made a lot of money. I had no idea that there was so much more to life than to strive for. I got into a good college, graduated, worked my way into a good job, then realized I was extremely unhappy. I hadn't taken into account that there was more to life than just having a job. My physical health and mental well-being were suffering. And once I had my first child and found that I only had about 1.5 - 2 hours with him per day, I realized on all that I was missing out on. It was clear case of "money can't buy happiness," and that's when I made a change.
To me, being successful means...
Being comfortable in your skin and proud of who you are. It means living a big life, the kind of life where your choices come from love and not fear.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I think there was somehow instilled in me a checklist of sorts... it never came from my family, I knew they loved me unconditionally, but it came from the people around me & I measured myself against that invisible made up checklist for so long until I realized that it was that checklist that was blocking any of my chances at true success.
To me, being successful means...
To me, being successful means being proud of one's personal, educational, and/or professional accomplishments. I also consider being successful as realizing an important goal in one's life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to judge someone's success by their paycheck; while I still struggle not to financially compare myself to others, I know being successful does not necessarily correlate with one's salary (in fact, there can be a negative correlation).
To me, being successful means...
Feeling accomplished. It doesn't take much; sometimes just completing what I set out to do in a day (which definitely doesn't always happen). But to me, having more of those days than not = success.
My definition of success has changed over time.
After high school and college it becomes clear that if being passionate and working hard at ANYTHING will make you successful. High school gave off the impression that there were a select few fields that people should go into to be considered successful.
To me, being successful means...
...that I'm comfortable in my own skin and don't need to adhere to my parents' or family members' definition of what is successful. It's not all about money, career, or status; it's about what's interesting or comfortable to me on the timeline that I choose.
My definition of success has changed over time.
In high school I was taught (by my parents) that money and status are the key to happiness. You're successful? Then you have a big house (that you own) and drive a BMW/Audi/Tesla/etc. to show others that you are important. It was about where you went to school, what your degree is, what your job title is, whether or not your parents stayed together, and making sure that everyone around you knew all of those things. Because of that, I currently rarely "talk shop." I hate it. I don't want to be defined by where I went to school, what my major was, or what my job title is. Success to me is being able to build friendships, sustain jobs (no matter the title), have interests outside of work (whatever they may be), etc., so that you aren't limited to being defined by any one thing.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy. To be happy I consider 3 factors - my healthy, my friends/family in my life and the work that I do. Therefore I ask myself – am I in good health? Do I have friends and family in my life that care for me and vice versa? Do I wake up every day content with what’s in my life or am I unhappy? Am I able to make an impact and help people on a weekly basis? If I can answer yes, then I can feel successful.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Yes. I previously thought that to be successful you had to have a job, any job. Now I think it’s a bit more than just having a job. You have to have a balance of good things in your life and it’s certainly not all about having a job. It’s about having the opportunity to experience good things in your life and that can come from a result of relationships, traveling, reading, listening to music, living in a place like the Bay Area, etc.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy. having friends and family who support me in all areas of my life. Having a job/career that I am excited about and proud of.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
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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