I think the question of how we measure success is a really interesting one that needs to be addressed, especially in this modern age. Its a question that might have multiple answers depending who you are or where you live, but in my opinion I have my own answer. You might have your own as well and I dont think I can really say what is right and what is wrong because like I said, it comes down to the individual person. Many times it might just come down to how someone was raised. There is an obvious trap that I think people fall into regarding money, which I want to talk about first.
In my opinion money is the biggest cop out for measuring success. Its easy to say that if someone is a millionaire they are successful, but many times luck and being in the right place at the right time has a big hand in doing so. I think our society has brainwashed people in a way through popular culture that driving a nice car, wearing expensive clothes and having a huge house is the measure for success and in my opinion I think thats sinister. Its this idea that has people working and wasting their lives away doing things they hate to get stuff they wont really enjoy in the long run.
I talk a lot about money on my blog, which might make you think I value money more than I value other aspects of life. However, for me, money is a means to an end, once you have enough to live the life you want to live, go ahead and do that. I try to give people the tools or some of the knowledge to reach that point, but at no level do I think how much you can save measures success. Money happens to be one of the biggest strainers on happiness and I think planning accordingly to remove that stresser is important to long term happiness.
I said I measure success in my own way and I actually break it down into two parts. I measure success by how fulfilled and happy you are with your own life and also how many people you are able to help. Being happy with your own life might come second in many cases and helping people may just be supporting your family and raising your children with values and a decent morality. Your own success should only matter in your mind, not in the minds of others. If you consider yourself successful and you are genuinely happy with your life and provide for you family or maybe help the community, in my eyes you are a success.
No matter who you are or what you do someone will always think you arent a success, so dont even try to interact with those people. People often want others to be brought down to their level, whether its how unhappy they are or because they are in some way jealous, you cant help these people. You need to look at your own life and move towards the goals that are important to you. In many ways success is just a state of mind, one that you can achieve. Dont be fooled by what the community as a whole finds successful, focus on only what it means for you and your loved ones.
-Calaber24p