How Do You Measure Success?
I was recently invited to be a guest on a collegue’s radio show. My initial reaction was why me? She ran through my list of “accomplishments” but my insecurities continued to push through and I thought: “There must be some misunderstanding. Yes, I am a social worker. Yes, I have my own business. But, am I successful?”
Society tends to equate success with power and wealth. I have a consulting business not a Fortune 500 Company. I hardly consider my coop apartment a real estate investment. The car that I drive (when it’s drivable) is not the top of the line. I have yet to make my first million or travel the world. When I was a child, I definitely envisioned a different picture of what I would have by the ripe old age of thirty than I now have at thirty-something. Does this mean that I am not successful?
The answer depends on how you measure success. I am a firm believer that the meaning of success is subjective. The late Michael Jackson had a performing career that spanded over four decades, broke several industry records, and was probably the most well known person in the entire world. But still there are many critics who would attack his character and I am sure he himself at times questioned his own success.
So if success is subjective, how do we measure it? Simply put, your measure of success should be based on goals that you set for yourself. I have been guilty of doubting my own success because I have looked at my list of goals (Yes, I actually have a list.) and there are many things left unchecked. However, a friend and collegue reminded me of something very important. While you continue to set and strive for your goals, it’s important to remember this:
Do not focus on the things that you have yet to do but instead on the things you have already accomplished. That is the real measure of success.
