To me, being successful means...
Being emotionally, financially stable.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I really bought into the one track success story of being a great/student/athlete/whatever but events and life changed me, I dropped out of school then went back, I had to support my family etc. I found out that my goals changed and what's really important isn't how smart or great I looked/seemed.
To me, being successful means...
Finding contentment in what is
My definition of success has changed over time.
It used to revolve more around money. Now i know having enough and loving myself is most important.
To me, being successful means...
Feeling that my life has meaning and being truly calm and happy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Less focused on attainment of specific accomplishment milestones.
To me, being successful means...
Acting in a way that was true to my values. That meant for me, dropping out of UC Berkeley half way through my first quarter of my senior year, and travelling....For me, being successful means following my heart...
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Sometimes I do think I could have been more financially successful if I had been more traditional in my career choices, but I know I would not have been as satisfied with my life.
To me, being successful means...
Having good, lasting relationships with family and friends, leading a purposeful life in which I honor the things that light me up and contribute to the lives of others.
My definition of success has changed over time.
In high school and college, I really didn't think about it much. I just knew I wanted to get a job, maybe have a family, and I was preparing for that. I really hadn't gone much beyond that. As a result, I set out on a pretty conventional path....Today, I look more at human values, relationships, and a sense of purpose. I wish that I had been a little more free, less fearful, about exploring different paths. For example, I think I might have loved teaching history at the college level.
To me, being successful means...
Finding fulfillment in whatever it is I spend most of my time doing, be that work, a hobby, or spending time with my family. Success is being happy in MY life, as it is, not as I imagined it or want it to be.
My definition of success has changed over time.
My view has shifted much more towards internal feelings of fulfillment, rather than external markers. I'm not sure that I would have identified my definition as based on external markers in the past, but as I get older and learn more about myself, I realize that that really was the standard. Graduation, grades, job title, specific tangible achievements. I am working towards bringing the focus around to my internal feeling of satisfaction.
To me, being successful means...
Doing something so that I don't dread waking up in the morning
My definition of success has changed over time.
There used to be money and fame included in my idea, as well as the necessity to go to what everyone told me were the best schools for me.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy
My definition of success has changed over time.
Used to value education and status over everything else
To me, being successful means...
Looking back at an experience and feeling satisfied with what I have put in and what I have gotten out of it.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When you are just starting out, school and careers seems to be the most important areas to focus on. Now it's all about my relationships.
To me, being successful means...
Having friends and family, being happy, being financially secure, doing something I enjoy
My definition of success has changed over time.
My definition of success used to be more concerned with academic achievements and financial success
To me, being successful means...
being happy with myself and my decisions. I've learned to accept that not everything is going to work out exactly as planned but I need to be happy with the decisions I've made.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to think that having a perfect life with a perfect relationship, with money, with a perfect education, etc. would define success for me.
To me, being successful means...
being happy-- doing what you love surrounded by people you care about
My definition of success has changed over time.
used to think you had to be rich to be successful but that's not true. although having lots of money can be a measure of one form of success, its better to be happy doing something you like than to be rich but miserable
To me, being successful means...
Having been a good husband, father, brother,son and a respectable of others
My definition of success has not changed over time.
At first it was how much money I could make to be successful then I learned how to be #1 answer!
To me, being successful means...
To me, being successful means creating a life in which happiness is achieved. This is specific to each person. For me, it meant creating a life full of loving friends and family. Along with a comfortable job that is both fun and pays the bills.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger, accolades were much more important in regards to my definition of success. Trophies, degrees, wealth, etc. It wasn't much later until I realized that accolades are just a form of bragging rights. There are plenty of people I know who are happier than I am and don't make nearly as much money or success.
To me, being successful means...
Earning a living by doing what makes me tick. It makes me happy to be in my profession, and yet I would do it anyway, even if I had to earn my living some other way.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
I'm a musician/educator/performer. If something isn't working, I always have another opportunity. People like me are always "auditioning." Every job we do is a resume for the next job.
To me, being successful means...
Having good family and friends to share the ups and downs with. Especially the downs. Also, making enough money to pay the mortgage every month. I don't need to have expensive things, the newest car, or travel everywhere, but I like having a stable place to live and good people to share it with.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being productive, contribute to my community, joy, happiness and financial prosperity/stability
My definition of success has changed over time.
More fulfillment now
To me, being successful means...
Being challenged every day in my job but still looking forward to it
My definition of success has changed over time.
Read MoreThis 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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