To me, being successful means...
Being happy
My definition of success has changed over time.
Growing up you are programmed that success is being educated to get a good job, marriage and nice house, money for vacations...living the American dream. However, if you are not happy your success means nothing to you.
To me, being successful means...
Showing up to something you love and making the world a bit of a better place.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think it was more about money and material things, but now I think your success in life has a lot more to do with following your inner voice.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy and feeling that your work and life make a difference. It’s also being able to support yourself and your family and having enough money in the bank to take care of emergencies. Sometimes you have to sacrifice to maintain success (i.e., keeping a job with benefits if you’re the one that provides the health insurance). Some people may believe that you should sacrifice the health benefits and follow your passion, but I believe success is being able to support those I love. And I’m female, so I’m not coming from a male breadwinner viewpoint.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think you had to have a high level job to be considered successful. I think you can be successful at any level - but you should live the life you can afford.
To me, being successful means...
Not obsessing about "being successful", what a yawner question...
My definition of success has changed over time.
Sure, why not...
To me, being successful means...
Being happy and satisfied
My definition of success has changed over time.
I thought money would make me happy
To me, being successful means...
Feeling fulfilled with the decisions you have made to have gotten to where you are today.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It used to be about money and title.
To me, being successful means...
Living and loving on my own terms, within my means in the company of beloved family and friends.
My definition of success has changed over time.
My worth as a human being is no longer defined by my work, my employer, my income, my college "pedigree," or even having grown up in Palo Alto.
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...
Survive and be active
My definition of success has changed over time.
I don't have to be famous! I don't have to be rich!
To me, being successful means...
Finding meaning and fulfillment in your relationships, your work, and your contributions to the common good.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I care less about professional "success" and now measure personal success by how much time I have to read, hangout with family and friends, travel, and volunteer.
To me, being successful means...
To achieve what I set out to achieve, while making enough money to not have to worry, and being able to help others who have not been so fortunate.
My definition of success has changed over time.
In my youth, I assumed money would automatically accompany good work. It does not. It must be consciously pursued.
To 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...
Giving back to the community. Sharing wisdom to be a positive influence.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I started adulthood financially driven. I had monetary success early on. As I grow older, money and things don't matter as much as experiencing life.
To me, being successful means...
Being true to yourself. Following your dreams. Finding what makes you happy. Being comfortable with your place in life.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Not really. I always wanted to make my way. I never really bought into all of society's ideas of who or what I should be.
To me, being successful means...
that I honored the gifts, opportunities, and trust I was given.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think of success as defined by a series of milestones and check marks that could be seen from the outside....now I realize it's something I feel at the end of the day and deep inside.
To me, being successful means...
Having a life that glorifies God, that shows how He is working in you and through you to help others.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Some things that I first thought would be failures were really part of the path toward a success in helping others.
To me, being successful means...
Just staying alive...and being patient and kind, no matter the circumstances.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Success used to mean ongoing access to a cornucopia of interesting possibilities; now it means making it through another day with acceptance, kindness, and understanding.
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...
A productive life, with as much spare time that I can muster, to spend with my family and friends.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Realizing it is not only important to be productive, but time spent with family & friends is equally important.
To me, being successful means...
Being faithful to the gifts God has given me.
My definition of success has changed over time.
After you retire your career becomes less and less important.
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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Black and white photos on this site courtesy of Palo Alto Historical Association. All other photos taken by us. Website by us.
