To me, being successful means...
Learning new things for a better tomorrow, everyday. Never be afraid to fail, as that is what makes us stronger.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It used to be about money, and material things. Now I’m just glad for all I have and enjoy the little things in life.
To me, being successful means...
The ability and means to share experiences with my loved ones and the confidence to make myself vulnerable enough to constantly expand that group.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I stopped assuming that success for me was what it meant to others.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy
My definition of success has changed over time.
Growing up you are programmed that success is being educated to get a good job, marriage and nice house, money for vacations...living the American dream. However, if you are not happy your success means nothing to you.
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...
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 MoreTo me, being successful means...
Obviously being able to sustain yourself financially is one component to happiness, however the bigger part of the equation is the genuine relationships you surround yourself with. Authentic connections with family and friends become a higher level of priority as one matures!!
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Survive and be active
My definition of success has changed over time.
I don't have to be famous! I don't have to be rich!
To me, being successful means...
Being happy with myself and achieving the goals that I have set out for me.
My definition of success has changed over time.
The realization that personal success and happiness comes through reflection and being exposed to different things in life in order to identify what is truly important.
To me, being successful means...
Finding meaning and fulfillment in your relationships, your work, and your contributions to the common good.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I care less about professional "success" and now measure personal success by how much time I have to read, hangout with family and friends, travel, and volunteer.
To me, being successful means...
being happy in life
My definition of success has changed over time.
I am less focused on making money.
To me, being successful means...
Getting to a place in your life when you offer advice and opinions without looking around the room for confirmation that you gave the right answer.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Not about money or position but about a confidence that you know you are now the grown up in the room.
To me, being successful means...
Being able to look in the mirror and be happy with the person looking back. It helps to have a secure home and loving family, too. But those are rarely present or quickly flee without the mirror test, so that comes first. Can you be happy looking in the mirror?
My definition of success has changed over time.
I learned that despite popular wisdom success is a group sport. I can't stand people who claim or imply that they "did it all on my own." The more I have scratched the surface of those stories over the years the more I find they are either delusions or outright lies. I recall one person I met years ago telling me how he had created a huge real estate empire entirely on his own, how "no one gave me a thing!" -- starting out with nothing, he insisted. I later learned he had inherited five SF properties from his dad. But he could not admit that. He just had to lie and claim to be a self-made man. What I have learned is that there is no such thing. There are just people who don't or won't recognize the people or situations that helped them.
To me, being successful means...
Being balanced.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It used to be more about money and material things, now it is about being happy.
To me, being successful means...
Giving back to the community. Sharing wisdom to be a positive influence.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I started adulthood financially driven. I had monetary success early on. As I grow older, money and things don't matter as much as experiencing life.
To me, being successful means...
Being able to love what you do and where you are.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being happy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It's a personal goal, not a public one.
To me, being successful means...
being happy
My definition of success has changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Leaving the world better than you found it.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being happy and content with who you are and what you do.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Being successful used to mean being accepted by everyone and following the status quo. Looking back, loving life, family and yourself is all that counts and with it comes success in everything one does.
To me, being successful means...
Being financially stable doing something that makes you fairly happy doing.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think it was one or the other, financially stable versus being happy with what you are doing, defined success. Since I have come to the conclusion that it's a fair balance of the two.
This is a collection of anonymous life and career stories from Palo Alto alumni for everyone. They shatter the myth that there is only one path to success.
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