Today, I want to talk to you about how success is measured. Most people envision a corporate CEO strolling through the streets of New York City, holding a warm caramel macchiato from Starbucks in their hand as they walk to their office with a city view. But is this really success?
I suppose in a sense that is part of success for many people, but how people measure success is different, and if you’re not the corporate CEO of a major New York City company, that does not mean you aren’t successful.
The Traditional Measure of Success
The traditional way we measure success is to look at how much money you make, the power you have over others and the fame you achieve. In this model, success is often measured in terms of material possessions: How big is your house? What kind of car do you drive? Do people recognize your name when they see it on a billboard or hear it on TV?
This approach to measuring success isn’t always bad–it can motivate us to work harder so that we can buy nicer things for ourselves and our families. But if this is all there is to life (and all that matters), then what happens when we don’t get those things?
The traditional way of measuring success is based on salary and job title, but it’s time to re-frame your ideas about what it means to be successful. In order to create a happier and healthier mindset, we should all define our own personal definition of success.
Success is Measured by Happiness
Success is measured by happiness, not by the number of times you have triumphed over your competitors. Or by how much money you have made. Or by how many material things you have accumulated. Or by how many people adore you.
Success is measured by happiness. If you’re not happy, then you can’t be successful.
Happiness is the real measure of success, not what others think about you or what they say about you behind your back (even if they are positive). Happiness comes from within, and it can only be found when we are honest with ourselves and live our own lives, not someone else’s.
Success is Measured with Love
Some people have everything they want in life as far as materials, but they don’t know how to measure success. They may be rich, but they are always unhappy. If they’re unhappy, are they actually truly successful?
Success is measured by love. Without love, all the money in the world will never make you happy and can never bring you true joy and happiness. If you have a loving family, you will be successful in business and life.
My Own Thoughts
I could give you a list of accomplishments, degrees, books I’ve written… but none of that would matter without the love of my family. To me, success means raising happy children, spending time with my children and my extended family, and seeing new places with the people I love. Of course, I am proud of my accomplishments, but none of it would mean anything without someone to share them with.
Successful people take action on their goals, tackle challenges head-on, and strive towards improvement every day–they don’t just hope for things to happen in their lives; they make them happen through hard work and perseverance.
If you don’t have family, this could be friends or other loved ones. If you aren’t happy, find something that makes you happy. I have always told my children (and I went to college for 12+ years), I want them to search for a career they love and family values are heavily instilled within them. Above all, happiness in your life is what is most important.
Find. Something. That. Makes. You. Happy.
Of course, everyone measures success differently. How do you measure success? How is success measured for you?
