How Do You Define Success In Life?

[Gryffindorian]

To bring it back around to the original topic of having a "successful" life (and I still don't even get what that really means), I think for a lot of people much unhappiness is caused by mistakenly placing value in outcomes and qualifying them in terms of successes and failures. A lot of judgement comes from the same fallacious thinking, too. I can put value only in what I can do and how I react, because in the end I don't really have control over how the cards fall.

I've never been very materialistic and I've never bothered much with goals. I've always equated the word 'success' with something other people strive to achieve, something I have neatly stepped around as not being worth bothering with. I've actually been very successful at not bothering with it

(which isn't quite responding to what you've written ..)

I bolded the statement you made, which I think is the most basic definition of success. Most people equate success with financial gain, status, a good relationship, etc., i.e., those are the objectives that people strive to achieve. But since not everyone shares the same objectives, who's to say one is either successful or a failure at what he/she does? My boss always says, "I want people to be successful," which I take to be a well-meaning statement. On the other hand, that's a very presumptuous remark. What makes him think his employees aren't already successful at what they're doing? If they're working hard and getting the work done, then I consider that success.

As far as health goes, it's a predisposed factor and should not be counted as either success or failure. There are, however, healthful objectives that can be achieved through personal discipline.

 

[Vendikarr]

If I was to define a successful life, it would be the fact that I am the father of three children who grew up without unwanted pregnancies, no criminal record, and just great people. They all attend or attended college, and are working in their chosen fields.

I feel I was a success as a parent, because my children have a better life at their age than I did at the same age.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Sorry for bumping up this thread

In regards to money, somebody pointed out earlier that money doesn't buy happiness, and someone countered that whoever said that doesn't have to worry about their finances to begin with. I'm paraphrasing here.

I think that money does make people happy, especially if there's an abundance of it. I am by no means a wealthy person, but I'm generally happier, more secure and confident when I know I have more than enough to cover my basic expenses as well as have a little something on the side. And I don't have an extravagant lifestyle.

So now I believe I understand why others might equate success with financial gain or freedom because it gives them peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment. And if success is synonymous with happiness, then they are successful in that regard.

 

[not]

HowDo You Define Success In Life? I know my failures but I'm never sure I truly own my success.

It isn’t about money but I can understand that if you’re needs aren’t met or not personally satisfactorily, then your focus would be financial.

"It's about self-fulfillment and self-enrichment, but as content as I am with the way things are, I find myself wanting more.” Me too but I just don’t know how to get there.

 

[publiusr]

Money isn't valuable in itself--but it opens up options.

It's all about opening up possibilities.

People who have a great skill set about making money may not be the best ones to hold on to it. This is why we all dream of the lottery, so that we don't have to be some type A dirtbag. He would focus on making more.

I would spend to money, say, helping folks with their garage kits, people with an interest in wooden sailing vessels, art, having my own private library, giving it away to family and friends, etc.

Type A doesn't think like that, because he really isn't human..

 

[Captain_Nick]

Success in life is really easy to achieve. We write the rules, we create the 'win' state, we play the game - how can we lose? You would have to set out to lose on purpose by making some insanely silly win state like 'I will succeed when I build a working time machine'.

The tricky part is holding on to the knowledge that we create our own rules. There are lots of other people out there trying to sell the belief that their rules should be our rules. Personally, I don't need a flash new car or big TV or other piece of property to feel like a success. But geez there are so many credit providers who would have me believe otherwise.