- Published: September 18, 2022
- Updated: September 18, 2022
- University / College: The University of Sheffield
- Language: English
- Downloads: 31
My personal definition would not include “ stuff” at all. No one will care (and neither will you) what kind of car your drove or how big your house was when you’re on your deathbed. Your thoughts will not be about your job, the office or how much money you made.
Personal success is defined by how content and enjoyable your life is. That is not to say that challenges and disappointments aren’t included in this. A rich, eventful and challenging life doing what you enjoy and positively affecting others seems to me to be just about right. Find a job you love and you’ll never work another day in your life. I know I won’t. In my business, I’m always amazed at the clients I run across who have worked 40 years at a job they hate.
That’s no way to live and leads to an early death and a stressful, resentful life, and is very hard on your family. Past, present and future are all important to keep in perspective. Looking back and not having regrets is extremely satisfying. Your current situation and your contentment with it are also very important, and having goals and milestones to work toward in the future keeps you motivated and keeps life interesting and challenging. In this age in which we live, success is generally measured by the amount of money you earn, or the amount of wealth or power or number of promotions you’ve accumulated. I find that the older I grow, the more I view the people who are most happy and content with their lives as the most successful.
Rich, poor or in between, they’ve tended to treat life as a journey, not a final destination. They took that trip when they were 25 even though they really couldn’t afford it, they ordered the $55 bottle of wine with their filet because they knew that even though it was expensive it would enhance the meal so much more than water would. They took a chance on a start-up company, moved to Europe or Asia and experienced things that most people only dream about. If they managed to grow wealthy from the experience, so much the better.
As long as moderation with most things is practiced, things won’t spin out of control.
