How do you measure success?

[nicoleallee]

In grad school, one of my profs had spent time with the Lakota in Oklahoma. To them, she said, the measure of success was not money, or prestige, or power, but whether one was a good Lakota, whether one followed the traditions well

Comments

[auspeople]

I think it's about being comfy and proud in your own skin. Sure, I have a job right now that makes good/great money, a family, all that. But what makes me feel successful is I love what I do... I'd do it for half the pay. More importantly, I love who I am. I'd change details, sure, but the big picture is that I have confidence in myself and where I am headed.

[arenson9]

Being successful means achieving a relatively large amount of what one aims for and/or desires.

That being said, I generally think of others as successful if they are happy or have clearly achieved something challenging, such as great riches and/or acclaim.

I tend to admire those people who achieve things that I think are worthwhile, which frankly includes riches, but is first and foremost happiness, and also includes such things as intellectual capability, emotional awareness and depth, and a positive impact on the world.

[tubin]

Interesting question. I shall commence to ramble

[demusetta]

What makes me feel successful is little things. When a student has a "lightbulb" moment, or achieves a 6 on an essay when her previous best had been a 3, or when Katherine says that she wants to do the puzzle of Asia again, or when Eric responds to a question in Latin instead of English, I feel like I've done my job(s) right.

I should probably be thinking more big picture, but I guess that's not where I am in my life. Teachers very rarely get the classic rewards for success, like money, fame, etc., so it's a good think I don't measure my success that way! I'll take my "I love you, Mommy"s and "Thanks for being such a great teacher"s and smile. : )

[a_h_scientist]

I have always told myself that success is leaving the world a better place than I found it. I'm not sure I'm living my life that way, though, so I may be deluding myself.