What is "Success"?

[PrinceOfLeigh]

I was watching The Apprentice some intellectual programme about metaphysics when a gentleman on the show documentary started to discuss his life and how he claimed he was "much more successful than anyone his age".

As he set off describing his income and his "trophy girlfriend" I realised that I considered nothing of what he was proud of to be "success".

So I am now driven to ask CFCers what they consider "successful" life to be. Rich? Big Family? Happy?

I imagine that "happiness", or for the more pretentious "enlightenment", would be the top choice but then there are different levels of "happiness" inspired by different things. So if you must put "happiness" at least elaborate upon it.

Cheers

 

[Shaihulud]

I personally define sucess as achievement of goals, that you set for yourself. Therefore a man with small ambitions will inevitably be sucessful, while a seemingly sucessful man may never feel satisfied. I recall reading that Leonardo Da Vinci at the zenith of his life was still dissatisfied and at unease, because there is still much things that he wanted to do and that is a man, who I considered, have lead a great and full life.

 

[Mise]

Feeling as though you are doing what you were born to do. Finding your purpose in life and your place in society, and fullfilling those roles to the best of your ability. I won't feel successful until I've done those things.

 

[Raisin Bran]

My way of seeing success is :

Having a family that you love,
Having a family that love's you
Having a job that you like
having enough money to live a comfortable life (not being a millionaire)

The most important thing is not to wake up a 40 years old wondering what you could have done to make your life better.

IMHO ''hapiness'' is ''success''

 

[Abaddon]

Achieveing what you set out to do.

 

[El_Machinae]

What Loz said.

Basically, to be successful, you need to have a goal NOW and a goal later. If you're achieving your goals, you're successful.

You're 'more' successful if you're achieving your short-term goals faster than other people AND if you have a long-term goal you're working towards

 

[Mise]

So what you're saying is, "success" is "being successful"?

 

[garric]

Achieveing what you set out to do.

Exactly.

Oh and, if you don't think Donald Trump is successful, all I've got to say to you is:

 

[Dann]

Bah!

Bill Gates? Success.

George W. Bush? Success.

Big businessman with large company, a condo, a villa, a BMW, a Benz, a yatch, a trophy wife AND a mistress? Success.

Poor old me? Not a success.

 

[El_Machinae]

Sorry, you want my personal definition?

Everyday, my risk of dying decreases
Everyday, my wealth/resources increases

 

[Mulholland]

I'm with raisin bran. Success is not the sum of your achievments but rather the happiness that you have derived from them. A happy man imo is always more successful than a rich man.

 

[El_Machinae]

A heroin addict who scores would probably seem to be the happiest person around!

 

[Mulholland]

Right. Let's say happiness without the excessive use of drugs or material indulgences.

 

[Narz]

Power over myself (discipline, powerful & flexible body, good health) and the love and respect of others.

Also, knowing that my life is not dependent on countless others over whom I have no control. Living literally and metaphorically "off the grid" rather than "caught in a web" or rat race if you will.

 

[Narz]

A heroin addict who scores would probably seem to be the happiest person around!

Hmm, heroin addicts don't seem very happy to me.

And certainly wouldn't be happy in the long term. I know you are one to consider the long term.

 

[Masquerouge]

For me, I'm successful when I have the time and the money to do the things I like with the people I like.

 

[Phlegmak]

Success means achieving your own goals.

 

[Eli]

I personally define sucess as achievement of goals, that you set for yourself.

Yes, and also those goals must be not be easy to achieve. Deciding that my goal is to watch TV all day long until i'm dead and meeting this goal is not success.

 

[Xanikk999]

Getting what you want out of life and fulfilling every goal.

It doesnt matter what anyone elses definition of success is.

As long as you did what you wanted to do and you feel you made the best of what you have then you are a success in my book!

 

[shortguy]

Hey, if the guy thinks he's successful, who am I to tell him otherwise?