What does success look like to you?
This is a question my late father used to ask me so often while growing up. I often had the same answer; which in most instances was a fast car and a bigger house than he had. Then I would be happy. My success metrics had been obscured by society and what the world wants us to be. It is so prevalent today, with society's constant focus on status, wealth, and material possessions. It's easy to judge your worth based on superficial achievements. But true success extends far beyond your job title, salary, or social media following.
In more recent years I have reflected on the question again and with a learning mindset and a new pair of lenses, I consider these key areas :
Relationships - At the end of your life, will you be surrounded by people you love and who love you back? Developing deep connections with family and friends is essential for a meaningful existence. Make time for loved ones and be fully present in the moment. Forgive easily and give generously within your relationships.
Growth - Life is a journey of continuous learning and self-improvement. Set goals to challenge yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Read books, take classes, travel, and pick up new hobbies. Become more self-aware and overcome your weaknesses. Growth most often involves discomfort. Embrace it.
Passion - Do you wake up feeling excited about your days? Identify activities that energize you and bring you joy. Then, integrate more of what you love into your routine. Passion provides fulfilment beyond temporary happiness. It fuels you with energy and purpose. Ask yourself the ‘WHY’ questions more often.
Gratitude - appreciate all the positives in your life, big and small. Feel genuine thankfulness and express it often. Gratitude shifts your mindset from lack to abundance. You'll discover more joy and gain resilience during hard times.
Contribution - Touch people's lives in a positive way. Use your unique skills and experiences to serve others. Contribution provides meaning and deep satisfaction. Make a difference through volunteer work and help friends and colleagues.
Health - You only get one body and one mind. Make self-care a priority, not an afterthought. Adopt healthy habits around sleep, nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. Don't burn yourself out. Schedule rest and recovery. Listen to your mind and body's needs.
Presence - Don't let life pass you by. Be fully engaged in each moment, whether working, playing, or relaxing. Limit distractions and practice mindfulness to increase presence. Immersing yourself in the now will bring you deep gratification.
Reflection - Take time to practice regular self-reflection. Consider what went well, what didn't, and what you can change. Strive for self-improvement. Course correct when you get off track. Aligning your daily actions with your values and priorities gives life meaning.
I think I have recently arrived at a better answer for my dad compared to what I had back then:
To me, being successful is finding inner peace, always learning, and becoming a better person. It means having close relationships with family and friends. It means helping others when possible. And it means staying positive and thankful during both good and bad times.
Measuring success requires looking at the full picture. While everyone's definition will differ, focusing on these key areas can lead to a life well-lived. Ask yourself what truly matters the most to you and aligns with the story you want to be told about you.
AI - Leonardo Image
Recommended Reading
How Will You Measure Your Life - Clayton Christensen (Author), James Allworth (Author), Karen Dillon (Author)
You mentioned the important aspects of what life really is about I personally enjoyed reading.
If these aspects are handled well we live a much more fulfilling life with HAPPINESS.
We often unwittingly optimise our lives for the things we can measure.
Mostly this money, status and possessions.
But this totally misses the point in life that can sit in all the other parts of life that we don’t usually measure.
What gets measured gets managed.
One thing I’ve started thinking about is how we could start to quantify some of the other parts of our lives.
Then, we might just start to value those things over the more superficial things that we currently put too much emphasis on.
What are you optimising for?