The last Surviving [High school name omitted] Graduate!
/To me, being successful means...
Not obsessing about "being successful", what a yawner question...
My definition of success has changed over time.
Sure, why not...
De Anza, CA, OR, WA, Truck Fleet Maintenance Manager
/To me, being successful means...
Striving to do the best at whatever I do. Leading a positive example for/and watching my children grow up to be good people.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreNot afraid to take risks, Writer Builds Career on Mission and Love
/To me, being successful means...
Living an authentic life where I can be myself, am appreciated for what I can contribute and where I can love and be loved.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I was concerned about how my career would afford me a certain lifestyle, based on how I was raised in affluent Palo Alto. Now I focus on how I can contribute to a mission I care deeply about and work-life balance.
chapters of my life, traveler, wife, mother, and rancher
/To me, being successful means...
being happy with where you are in your life. Being able to look back at my life and be satisfied with what I've done, and looking forward to the next chapters of my life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Having a good income is nice, but labels and things have never given me a fulfilled feeling. My actions have.
Mother of Sparkle Hunter and Glitter Girl
/To me, being successful means...
Having healthy relationships with my family, my community, a God of my own understanding and myself.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think my career and hobbies were the most important. Then I realized my idea of success was based on self glorification.
Do all you can to enjoy your life and find happiness. Don't get old wishing you had enjoyed life when young.
/To me, being successful means...
Success begins when you reach contentment with what you have and who'd you become. Love your life and find meaning in the true journey of life which cannot be controlled.
My definition of success has changed over time.
You cannot find success by constantly comparing your life with the life of others.
nihilist/anarchist teen becomes chef and dancer becomes academic microbiologist
/To me, being successful means...
Living a happy, vibrant, full life that has a positive impact on the world (even if the impact is tiny, it's still meaningful as long as it's positive).
My definition of success has not changed over time.
I don't think my definition of success has fundamentally changed over time so much as I've gained the worldly knowledge to understand what I always knew to be true.
You're never expecting it when the goal posts shift
/To me, being successful means...
I've come to believe that success is really relative. Some might define success by major financial success, power or name recognition. I think I'm successful. I've got three kids who are doing great, I can feed them and my wife and have money for luxuries like Ice Hockey, concerts, meals out and seeing new movies if we like. I'm not wealthy by any means, but I'm certainly successful compared to a lot of situations.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to feel that being recognized was the definition of success. After all, only those whose name is thrown around are what seemed successful. They were known, they had influence, recognition and power. It always seemed like school and TV said it was so easy, it wasn't. I had to move the goalposts. Success became not being a failure rather than being any verb which implied privilege. When that level of success(close to the dictionary definition) is your bar, all of a sudden its black and white: succeed or fail. So not failing became the yardstick of success.
I love you because You are You!
/To me, being successful means...
feeling good about oneself and one's contribution, place and station in life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger (especially when I went to [high school name omitted]), I thought my life was determined by where I went to college. I found that one's professional journey is much more complicated than where one went to school and that matters less than finding things you enjoy to do, feeling good about yourself and your life. There is still a nagging urge to accomplish but I can see it is more of a story than reality.
I Never Fit the Palo Alto "Mold!"
/To me, being successful means...
Feeling inspired and surrounded by love and support. If I can lay down at the end of every day and know that I am following my heart, however hard the journey, then my life is a success.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Growing up, in Palo Alto, especially, I really thought that the only positive or desired future was one with wealth, and even some amount of fame. I didn't see another option for happiness.
Palo Alto was too stifiling, left for country life
/To me, being successful means...
being able to realize goals that help you support yourself in an increasing complicated world, be able to make choices regarding the impact you want to have on the earth's resources, and be able to safe and happy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I was able to meet all my career, monetary and lifestyle goals. I was not able to meet all my relationship goals but learned how to be okay with that and think out of the box.
Follow your bliss
/To me, being successful means...
doing something enjoyable that also makes a positive difference in the world.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to tie success to some sort of rank: the university I went to, grades, job title, salary. Now those things seem less important than a life that brings meaningful purpose and joy.
