Poor Palo Alto kid harnesses lessons learned into career of social justice

To me, being successful means...
Being financially stable doing something that makes you fairly happy doing.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I used to think it was one or the other, financially stable versus being happy with what you are doing, defined success. Since I have come to the conclusion that it's a fair balance of the two.

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I loved literature more than science

To me, being successful means...
doing "good" in the world and helping make it a better place, even if it is just one person at a time.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
When I was younger, I presumed success was about prestige and measures of intelligence (ie grades). Then I got into the working world and realized that no one cares what grades you got - they really care about how you interact with other people, not how "smart" you are.

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Late bloomer, MD

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.

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Two steps forward, one step back: the imperfect college experience

To me, being successful means...
Being emotionally and physically stable while pursuing something you are passionate about.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
In high school I compared myself to my "successful" older siblings who took more AP courses than me while also having friends than me. I didn't know how to define myself outside of the standards others had set for me and was very lost. I tried really hard in everything I did but never felt it was enough. I had a terrible eating disorder which almost took my life and my anxiety was through the roof.

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A Donut a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

To me, being successful means...
To be content with where you are, but most importantly, who you are.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I used to measure my success by where I stood compared to my peers. In hindsight, it's silly to think that a group of people, with all varying personalities and interests were expected to follow the same path.

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nihilist/anarchist teen becomes chef and dancer becomes academic microbiologist

To me, being successful means...
Living a happy, vibrant, full life that has a positive impact on the world (even if the impact is tiny, it's still meaningful as long as it's positive).

My definition of success has not changed over time. 
I don't think my definition of success has fundamentally changed over time so much as I've gained the worldly knowledge to understand what I always knew to be true.

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Following Your Bliss

To me, being successful means...
Being happy with what I do on a day-to-day basis.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
When I was in high school, I thought that success meant working in a white collar professional capacity, having power and money, and exotic adventures and participating in art on the side. 

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a bumpy ride to a life in the arts

To me, being successful means...
Living happily- having time to spend with my wife and family without too much stress.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I have realized that the most important things to me are people, relationships and ideas, not grades, jobs or money.

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You will get there, but you have to decide what parts of you to take with you

To me, being successful means...
Being to take care of my needs and help out with the needs of those I love. To be able to be meaningful work that uses my unique brain and skills. To be loved and valued by family, friends and clients.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I was more focussed on my achievements, and my immediate family, and less on my extended web of relationships

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i used to be an idealist.

To me, being successful means...
being healthy, having friends and family, and making time to do what you enjoy.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
well, ironically enough, i realize the importance of financial stability. not to say money=success. but, y'know.

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Breaking Outside the Bubble

To me, being successful means...
Being happy and feeling accomplished

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I used to believe that to be successful was to have the best grades. Now its just feeling happy with yourself.

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I Never Fit the Palo Alto "Mold!"

To me, being successful means...
Feeling inspired and surrounded by love and support. If I can lay down at the end of every day and know that I am following my heart, however hard the journey, then my life is a success.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
Growing up, in Palo Alto, especially, I really thought that the only positive or desired future was one with wealth, and even some amount of fame. I didn't see another option for happiness.

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Be present, live each moment to the fullest and be compassionate to yourself and others

To me, being successful means...
To me, being successful means feeling fulfilled and happy personally and professionally on a daily basis. It means having accomplished my goals but also making the most of each opportunity I had.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
When I was leaving undergrad and starting my first job, success in my mind was all around professional success. Getting into a top notch well known consulting firm, being able to work with exciting clients and lots of business travel. But after three years of doing that, I was completely exhausted and realized that success wasn't about the job title or about the company or career ladder. It was about something more than that, something more fundamental to who I wanted to be and the kind of life I wanted to live.

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Life is short -- enjoy and keep learning and experiencing new things.

To me, being successful means...
Doing what you want to do and having a good balance between work, family and life.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
It used to be focused only on work success, now it is more holistic.

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Musical theater performer learns to appreciate little things

To me, being successful means...
Having fun, being content., recognizing what is truly important: the relationships we build and maintain. Free of overriding worries, i.e., not enough food/shelter and means of earning income.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
Growing up, I thought success was defined by how successful one was in their chosen career.

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