Success is defined depending on what is being done.  For example, success on an exam could be to pass it, or to ace it.  Success in a car race would be to place, or to win the race.  Success in the stock market would be making money, and the amount of success would depend on the amount you make.  But what is a successful life, or what makes you “successful”?  From what I’ve seen, people tend to suggest someone is successful if they’ve made a lot of money and have become wealthy.  But is that really success?

As defined by Google’s “define: success” query:

Noun:
1. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
2. The attainment of popularity or profit.

DailyBlogTips asks “what is success” as well with:

..what should be considered success (on a professional level), […] comes to the conclusion that success should be measured as the positive impact [your] work will have upon the lives of other people.

I’ve pondered this question for awhile, while trying to create and reach my own goals and setup my life for the future.  In my opinion, someone who spends their entire life doing almost nothing but acquiring wealth is not successful.  I’d admire a ski bum who works just enough to get by and spends the rest of their days skiing more than someone who is wealthy and would also consider them more successful, contrary to what most people would.  Someone may respond and say “that [ski bum] is easy to do, and anyone can do that, what is the success in that?”.  I’d disagree.  It isn’t easy to pass up the general trends in life and really do what you want to do.  People get so caught up in the moment of what everyone else is doing that they forget why and how long they’re alive.  Wouldn’t the ideal situation be to make money with lots of free time?

I’d consider consider success in life to be someone who is happy with what they do, how they do it, and when they do it, regardless of money.  Obviously money will enable you to do the above, but if you’re not doing the above and acquiring money, what is the point of money? In the end, it really doesn’t matter what people consider your success, but it is an interesting thought.

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Einstein

 

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Patrick

Web Developer
I write for fun, I travel for fun, and I enjoy learning. I hate sugar-coating things. Understand the world in reality, not by dogma. Question everything.

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