It’s been a while since I posted. I am back! Did you miss me?
Due to a current internship at a financial institution, I won’t post any security related ideas. However, I wanted to talk to you all about something.
How. Do. You. Define. Success?
It is a question I have asked over 50 people in the past five weeks. The respondents’ age range from 17 to about 50, and is in or pursing profession in financial services to journalism sector. The answers are very different, and there seems to be a pattern.
- Low range spectrum aged (17-24) people’s responses are generally “money money money.”
- Midrange spectrum aged (25-33) people’s responses are generally “being fulfilled.”
- Upper range spectrum aged (34-50) people’s responses are generally “being able to care of my family.”
See a pattern? I bet you do. Wait for a second, I said their “responses are generally.”
Some people in all three spectrums of age said “being happy.” Common answers to be happy include family, friends, and career (power and/or money).
How do you define success? I believe there are two different categories of success: Professional success and personal success.
Professional Success
I have achieved a professional success when I enjoy my work and people are able to criticize without being afraid of retaliation.
Past criticisms and experiences from trading to internships are the main reasons my professional success is higher than before. Turning their critical feedback into a compliment has allowed me to feel good and improve.
But then, there’s another question. How do you achieve that professional success? That’s where your goals come in. Ask yourself, “Will achieving my goals help me realize my definition of professional success?”
Personal Success
I have achieved a personal success when my quality of relationships is high.
Past criticisms and life experiences from in-depth conversations to heartbreaks are the main reasons my personal success is higher than before.
Once again, there’s another question. How do you achieve that personal success? That’s where your goals come in. Ask yourself, “Will achieving my goals help me realize my definition of personal success?”
PaP Success
Does professional and personal success intersect? Yes. If one is missing, you might not feel “fulfilled.”
- Which one is more important?
- Does your professional success depend on your personal life?
- Does your personal success depend on your professional life?
The answers are different for everyone. It is up to you to determine for yourself. I cannot define them for you because it comes from own experiences. It is possible for my answers to the questions to change anytime.
No one is perfect, but everyone is perfect in their own way.
Know Yourself!
Love Yourself!
Seek experiences and criticisms!