I know art saves lives
/To me, being successful means...
Having a positive impact on the world
Liberal arts grad who loves all subjects discovers at 27 that she's made for product management
/To me, being successful means...
loving my life and making the world a better place.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Read MoreUCLA, Mechanical Engineer, Colorado
/To me, being successful means...
looking at your past with acceptance and without regrets; looking at the present with contentment and thankfulness; looking at your future with hope, drive to grow, and excitement for what's to come.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Status quo matters less to me now - I am more in tune with what I want from my life, not what I think my peers would see and appreciate.
Santa Barbara, Engineer and Parent, California and Colorado
/To me, being successful means...
Having a positive impact on the world that will live beyond you. And earning enough for family to be comfortable and have fun.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Focus has shifted from monetary success to impact on others. But, most who say money matters less probably have plenty.
Hoping my journey to be a part of change has mattered
/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.
Do it all, see it all, be it all.
/To me, being successful means...
Being happy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It's a personal goal, not a public one.
Still figuring things out
/To me, being successful means...
Making a positive difference in the world so that it's at least a little better when you left it than when you entered it.
My definition of success has changed over time.
My definition of success is much less oriented towards personal achievement now than it was when I was, say, in high school.
Playing (and Sometimes Working) in Colorado
/To me, being successful means...
Being financially independent, making enough money to work less hours, being able to support my hobbies and passions and spend time with my boyfriend and baby.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Success for me was very goal oriented: get good grades, finish high school, then college, then vet school. When I finished college and made the decision not to go to vet school, I was completely stumped about what to do. I then decided to go to grad school, and the goals came back into my life. BUT when I finished grad school... there I was again, unsure what to do next!! In the 7 years since finishing grad school, I have realized what is most important is that I am able to live my life exactly how I want to. I enjoy my work but feel most successful when I am doing the things I love outside of work.
Social Worker from Palo Alto
/To me, being successful means...
Being happy.
My definition of success has changed over time.
As a teenager, success used to mean attending college and having a great career.
Youth Mental Health Counselor trying to make a living in the San Francisco World
/To me, being successful means...
being happy, sharing your happy moments with others, being around friends and family
My definition of success has changed over time.
success was defined if I was able to get a paying job, not just another internship
Find your park
/To me, being successful means...
Finding your own version of happiness. Balancing commitments to work, family, and self without giving too much of oneself to any one thing.
My definition of success has and has not changed over time.
Yes and no. I think I've felt that feeling good about the work that I do and the contribution I make is important; it's just the focus of my work has changed. Creating a happy family and home life has been paramount and more than work, that is the success that I get most joy from.
Athlete turned Entrepreneur and Filmaker
/To me, being successful means...
Setting goals for yourself and going after them with all that you have
My definition of success has changed over time.
Read MoreEcosystems and art
/To me, being successful means...
Spiritual bliss. Knowing yourself.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I used to care more about external measures of success like career. I still do but it's less pointed. I give more credence to the inner experience while worrying less about others' opinions about career tracks. Nonetheless, I do notice that how people see your worth does depend on external measures.
