To me, being successful means...
To be passionate about what your spending most of your days doing "work". A career that allows you to grow and improve and that your well compensated for.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger success was more about "stuff or things" - as I've matured it's more and more about how I can help others and improve my skills in my career.
To me, being successful means...
being grateful for every new day and the relationships with my friends and family.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I put more emphasis on relational success vs. material success.
To me, being successful means...
Having meaningful relationships with friends and family. Having enough money to live a decent life. Knowing yourself well enough that you can be honest with yourself and others about your strengths and weaknesses.
My definition of success has changed over time.
The college you go to does not determine how your life will go.
To me, being successful means...
Living a fulfilled, balanced life where I make a difference.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was in high school, I thought I had to do what was expected, in the right order, and on schedule to be successful. Now, thirty-ish years later, I know that the fact that I took a different path (put myself through college, graduated in my early thirties) means that I have a true understanding of what's important. I value that journey.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy with yourself
My definition of success has changed over time.
Money does not solve all your problems
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...
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...
Having what you need and having activities to keep you happy.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
feeling good about oneself and one's contribution, place and station in life.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger (especially when I went to [high school name omitted]), I thought my life was determined by where I went to college. I found that one's professional journey is much more complicated than where one went to school and that matters less than finding things you enjoy to do, feeling good about yourself and your life. There is still a nagging urge to accomplish but I can see it is more of a story than reality.
To me, being successful means...
Having fulfilling relationships with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances; being able to provide for your family by doing something that feels valuable and beneficial; being the best person that you can be, and constantly striving to be even better.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I have been blessed materially, through a combination of really good luck and hard work, but I have become convinced that at least part of my success has been due to the way I choose to treat others. Growing up in Palo Alto, there was such emphasis placed upon money as a measure of success, I was lucky that my family always reminded me that money is not everything and that people are more important.
To me, being successful means...
Being happy
My definition of success has changed over time.
Less about title and money, more about relationships
To me, being successful means...
Making a living doing what you enjoy
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
A happy and satisfying family life, a career that is intellectually satisfying and financially sufficient, health and contentment.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Having time and resources to spend doing things that are meaningful to me.
My definition of success has changed over time.
I realized while having a business that some things are more important to me than money.
To me, being successful means...
Always treating others the way you would like to be treated. In other words, following the golden rule.
My definition of success has changed over time.
When I was younger, I thought material possessions reflected success.
To me, being successful means...
Finding a community of people who love and support you and finding meaningful work where you can do something positive and selfless every day.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
Read MoreTo me, being successful means...
Being free to share my soul and my unique gifts with my community, following my passions.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Not a material measurement
To me, being successful means...
Living life on my own terms: Living in the now and appreciating family and friends.....Creating my own schedule.....Working in a field that allows me to express my creativity and make my clients happy!
My definition of success has changed over time.
20's to 30's I worked with a mindset to achieve promotions, professional recognition and increasing income. 30's to 40's success was balancing child rearing and working from home 40's to 50's has been appreciating what I have worked on personally and professionally, and being satisfied
To me, being successful means...
Health and being a good friend, a good husband, a good father and a good son. providing a safe environment for my family is my top priority.
My definition of success has changed over time.
It used to be financially based. Money is still critical or a source of stress but a happy and healthy family trumps all else.
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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Black and white photos on this site courtesy of Palo Alto Historical Association. All other photos taken by us. Website by us.
