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...
being happy, and not living under a bridge. Optional: leaving the world a better place than I found it in some small way.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
It means being happy and living your life the way you best see fit.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think it meant having money and now I understand that money has nothing to do with it. If you aren’t happy then what’s the point of the money?
To me, being successful means...
Having a good career in Customer Service or being a Customer Service Representative in Call centers.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being a content, self supporting participating member of society.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It’s not about money or material possessions. But it is about relationships and experiences. Having said that I do agree with the study that establishes “happiness” requires a certain minimal income level ($75k for a family of four); beyond which the “happiness” arc flattens out.
To me, being successful means...
Having a positive impact on the world
To me, being successful means...
Being happy with what you do with your life
My definition of success has changed over time.
Like every student in Palo Alto, being successful meant being at the top of your class, and eventually going on to be at the top of your field. However, being the best is, of course, remarkably subjective, and not objective at all. Most things aren’t measureable in numbers and statistics.
To me, being successful means...
What a question. For some reason I tend to think of my life now by how my kids are doing, my husband, myself and the state of other relationships I have in my life. When all of those things are hitting I feel successful but when they're not I don't. It seems too close-in and too short term for such a global definition but that's how I measure my life day to day. The bigger, grandiose definitions are wonderful and make for good quotes to remind myself of sometimes but I don't think anyone really stays true to them.
My definition of success has changed over time.
In high school it was about grades, sports and college ranking. In college it was grades, social status, job offers. In career it was work reviews, weddings and grad school. As a Mom, it's are my kids happy, having fun and learning. With my husband, right now, it's are we getting along, lol.
To me, being successful means...
Doing what I love, working hard at it every day, and realizing that I've grown by making mistakes.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I don't associate success with (quick) fame or money, and have found that by just doing what I've described aa my idea of success, have found that the recognition and rewards are coming and feel that they are deserved.
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 able to relax and enjoy life. Specifically, not having a high stress career, and having friends that are similarly laid back.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think of success in terms of being able to make a lot money and probably having some kind of high tech job. But it's a big world out there with a lot of time to find what you are passionate about.
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...
Accomplishing goals and tasks that I set for myself no matter how big or small.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think it was about what you did, but now I believe how you did it is more important.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy with myself and where I am.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Sometimes it's hard to stick to this definition. I constantly want to compare myself to others, but this mindset is helping.
To 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.
To me, being successful means...
Finding joy each day in something: be it an action I perform, an interaction with family, friends, colleagues, an experience in nature or a story I hear. Joy is a deep happiness that comes from within which is what makes life meaningful and keeps me grounded despite external conditions. Being happy with what I have, where I am in life and career. I do not base my success on comparisons with others.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I now know that success is internal. It is not defined by my outward conditions and materialistic trappings but who I am as a person and a member of society. Success is my own view of fulfilling the destiny life has laid out for me by being true to my beliefs.
To me, being successful means...
Just staying alive...and being patient and kind, no matter the circumstances.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Success used to mean ongoing access to a cornucopia of interesting possibilities; now it means making it through another day with acceptance, kindness, and understanding.
To me, being successful means...
Success is not related to money, nor is it about how many possessions you have or what you look like on the outside. Perhaps love is involved, but not necessarily love for a life partner, but more love of self and love for life. Success means you are making a positive difference for other human beings. Success is not selfish. Success is being able to find happiness in things such as the outdoors, art, friends, family, books, walking, running, etc. Success is working on something and accomplishing a goal, no matter how simple or small.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being comfortable in your skin and proud of who you are. It means living a big life, the kind of life where your choices come from love and not fear.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I think there was somehow instilled in me a checklist of sorts... it never came from my family, I knew they loved me unconditionally, but it came from the people around me & I measured myself against that invisible made up checklist for so long until I realized that it was that checklist that was blocking any of my chances at true success.
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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