Is it money, cars, a particular title, or a career? Perhaps it is having a great partner, a big house, and a few adorable kids?
In our society, success is very much related to material, financial, and external gains. A diploma from Harvard, a big salary and a Rolex on your wrist would put you at the top of the success ladder.
You hear the word success, and you think: Bill Gates, Beyonce, Michael Jordan (or anyone else in that realm.)
A few months back, I was working out in the gym and saw a reality show playing on one of the TVs. I have no idea what the show was about, but I remember a 25-year-old waiter saying:
'Damn' I thought 'Poor guy.'
If your definition of success is 'have X amount of money by the age of X,' there is a high chance you will feel unfulfilled and unhappy – whether you end up achieving that goal or not.
I'm a very optimistic and motivated person. I believe we are capable of achieving incredible things, and we can create the life of our dreams.
However...
When we set our success bar this high, (and sometimes it's a tad unrealistic), we are doomed ever to feel successful. If you need a certain amount of money or a particular material thing to feel successful, most days you will wake up feeling deeply unhappy and *cough* unsuccessful.
Your definition of success will be different in your 30s than in your 20s. When I moved to New York City at the age of 18, my definition of success was: being a famous actor, earning a fortune, and having a fancy apartment.
During my four years of living there I realized acting was not what I wanted to do, being famous was the last thing I wanted to be, and New York is not where I wanted to live.
I didn't achieve what I went out to achieve when I moved to NYC. What does that mean, then? Did I fail? Am I not successful?
Well... I think the revelation I had is a success.
The biggest success of all, if you ask me.
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