What Does It Mean to Be Successful?

5 replies
What does it mean to be successful?

I find it a very subjective term. It seems by society's standards, success means you are responsible, you make more than enough to pay your bills, you're married with children, you have a college degree and you have a prestigious job. Sure, everyone looks at this person and thinks he or she has succeeded. But does anyone ask if this person's HAPPY?

Does success mean you make money? I used to have a best friend whose dad was a doctor, and she got a cushy job herself. She wasn't happy, though. Thinking back, I'm not sure that can be changed - at least, as long as she makes the choice not to do anything about her situation.

Then there's the guy with no job, no girlfriend and his parents think he's a loser. He's content with life though he appears to have no direction. Is he successful?

I define success as living life to the fullest. I have a creative soul... you name it, I'll probably dabble in it if I haven't already: novels, poetry, drawing, sewing, woodwork, jewelry... I have no interest in school except for the things I want to learn, and they don't add up to a degree I'm interested. Unless my writing or art strikes it big, I'll be doing something I'm bored with, and if I'm stuck in a job that's not interesting, I'll never have my precious me-time.

This is when I decided to get into the business of Making Money Online. I've committed every noobie mistake there is, but I learned from every one of them and have kept going. It's still hard work, but it is interesting at times. With the money I bring in, the more time I have to do everything that really matters to me.

What does success mean to YOU? Have you achieved it yet? What started you down this path? If you've reached success, how has it changed you?
#successful
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    For me I would say it is my ability to be here in the "now" more often and choose to do what I want to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Suzanne Morgan
    Being successful means different things to different people. For most people it is about status i.e. having pots of money, a perfect partner, clever children, top notch car etc. For me, success is much more internal. It is a sense of contentment that does not rely on anything material. It's great to have the material trappings of life, and who wouldn't want that - but is that success? Success to me is that regardless of what you achieve or not achieve in life, you feel a sense of contentment at all times.
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  • Profile picture of the author iForumulaSuccess
    Success means being able to do what I desire the most in life at any point in time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tufm
    For me "success" is a state of mind. It is daring to "live this day" with all of it's challenges and pitfalls while being grateful to have the opportunity to do so. It means not taking "this day" for granted; understanding that each challenge I'm faced with is a lesson to learn for my development.

    Success is relative! Even though others will define "success" through their own lenses, no one can really define success for me but me; I am on a journey of discovery, I am a wee thing who is just a part of a greater whole, yet I have purpose and for this I am most grateful. Each new day I am blessed with opportunity for new beginnings, new adventures, to embrace and if I choose to do so... I am successful in "this day!"
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  • Profile picture of the author tamaradaria
    For me success means "balance."

    To be successful would mean that
    I have mastered the art of awareness
    and consciousness.

    It would mean that I am tackle
    obstacles without falling apart.

    It would mean that my health,
    wealth, and spirit are all in
    alignment.

    I would mean that I have learned
    how to harness the "energy" of
    money.

    Yeah, to feel a sense of alignment
    and balance is exactly what
    success means to me.
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