What is considered "successful" to you?

Question

My definition includes career & finances, but that's only half of the equation.

OK all---let's keep it real---when they say a man is "successful"...do you not automatically default to money & finances and instead think about his wonderful personality?

Answer 1

I equate the word "successful" with "being effectual" or "having accomplished something in the world". This can refer to any accomplishment OTHER than managing one's own internal states (i.e. happiness). It refers to doing something that has some good effect on something external to oneself, from raising a family to making a gadget that enables people to perform some task to negotiating deals that aid the economy to being a good friend to others.

Answer 2

Like you, my immediate reaction is regarding career and finances. Thats the society we live in, and generally, the only areas we talk about when discussing success.

But if I dig a little deeper, I realize that successful is something that can be achieved in every aspect of one's life, and is measured by contentment and happiness. For example, I consider myself a successful novelist because I have completed and am very proud of four novels I've written. I haven't, nor will I submit them for publication, but that doesn't stand in the way of my feeling successful. I guess publication would make me feel professionally accomplished, but that wasn't the goal. The goal was to retire from the corporate world and write novels...I've done that - so I am successful.

Answer 3

For men or women its going to be the same answer. For me, true success is measured not in how other people see you, but how you see yourself. Money is not a a good gauge. I know a guy that's perfectly content living off scraps, as long as he's able to create his art. When I was a struggling single mom who had given up a lifestyle of excessive wealth, I found peace in being able to provide for my boys. We were dirt poor, but very happy indeed.

Success is finding what brings you happiness and peace in life, and if that helps pay the bills, then thats a definite plus!

For me personally, I feel successful because my family is happy and mentally and physically nourished. I am at peace with who I am. I truly enjoy life, and learning new things. Our company can be a source of stress, but also accomplishment. We are teaching our kids financial independance. Running your own company is liberating and gives me a sense of control. My husband and I know that if we fail its because we ******* up, and can't blame an idiot boss or coworker. There's a real sense of pride in that!

Answer 4

Success means different things to different people... Hell, it even means different things to a single person at different stages of his / her life. When I was building my future, success meant a breathtaking career and a matching paycheck ( I always dreamed big... ). Now I define it as a peace of mind. Financial stability of my family, their well being and safety bring me that feeling. There is also the feeling of being loved and needed by the most important people in my life and ability to love them back just as much or more. There is also acceptance of who I am and other people in my life without the desperate need to change anything or anyone. There is also a need to somehow change this world just a little to make it better for my child.

Answer 5

A successful person is one who is kind to others, who lives life according to his or her values, and who is devoted to his or her loved ones. If their children grow up to hate them, they have NOT been a success in life. If after they pass away, there are people who will smile when they think of them, and share funny or sweet stories about that person, they have been a success. If they try their hardest to take care of their spouse and children, even when it's difficult, then they are a success.

Personally, career success doesn't even enter into it. To me, your career is something you do for your family's benefit. It's great to find a field that suits you well, but since when is the pursuit of money and status something to be admired? Of course, a person must work to take care of his or her family, but if his or her career helps out other people in the world, that's just a bonus. I'd rather have children who grow up to be teachers, organic farmers, lawyers for non-profit agencies....than be able to brag that they make a lot of money. The most important thing? I want them to be good spouses, good parents, and good friends. *That* is success to me.

Answer 6

Success for me as an individual would be a great career, a nice apartment, and an equally successful circle of friends.

Success is entirely a matter of perspective. No two people want the same things in life; therefore, even if they both get everything they want, they may not think of each other as successful.

Answer 7

I don't like to think of a person as generally "successful", since few people are successful in every important area of life. I like to think of people as being financially successful, or having a successful marriage, etc. Anyway, I believe success in any area of life is reaching or approaching one's potential in that area.

General success would be reaching or coming close to one's potential in all major life areas. That's a hard thing to do.

Answer 8

Mr. Summerslam = Hulk Hogan Mr. TLC = Edge Mr. Hell in a Cell = The Undertaker Mr. Royal Rumble = Stone Cold Mr. Money in the Bank = Shelton Benjamin

Answer 9

I think that we've been programmed (I use that word often) to associate success mainly with financial status, but success is relative to each person and his/her view of what it means.

To me, being successful is to fulfill one's purposes or what one wishes to attain, both internal and external, at any given time.
Sometimes we accomplish something we aimed for, and other aspirations arise, so the drive for success may be constant, in many people.

Good question. Will star it. :-)

Answer 10

A successful person is someone who achieves their future goal. Someone striving. Persisting and having accuracy. Never giving up.