Is your definition of success out-of-date?
We all know that fashion changes every decade, if not sooner, but did you know that success changes too? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, success is “the achievement of something desired, planned or attempted.” What is changing is the “something” we are all going after. If you looked to the past you might come up with a list like this:
1950s – Do the right thing; “keep up with the Joneses”; own your own cozy 3-bedroom, 1-bath home; “Father Knows Best”; company loyalty; gold watch for retirement
1960s – Think for yourself; abandon societal values; focus on pleasure, love, freedom, peace; anti-establishment; be hip and cool
1970s – Get ahead in your career; dance and socialize
1980s – “Greed is good”; money; power; McMansions; 3-car garages; power suits; love yourself; transform yourself
1990s – Dotcoms; retire young and rich; work/life balance
2000s – Simplify life; focus on core values; attract what you want; be connected; spirituality
2010s – Go green; small footprint; financial freedom; flexibility; do work you love; Facebook friends
2020’s – My guess is it will be about integration of values with work and play; flexible hours and technological integration as the world goes digital; creativity and new ideas will abound as all information becomes free and more and more people become internet entrepreneurs
The good news is that you don’t have to keep up with the Joneses anymore! Given the changing definition of success, why not pick your own definition of success and go for that? It’s rather like foregoing trendy fashions to stick with what works for you personally. If you are still chasing after a vision of success that was popular in the 80s or 90s, why not upgrade to a more rewarding paradigm?
Homework:
Write your own definition of success. How will you know you have made it? What does success mean to you personally? Will you be a master in your field? Receive some sort of public recognition? Have a certain amount of money? Have achieved certain goals? Have had children? Live by the sea? Have time to garden every day?
10 Minute Option:
Set the timer and jot down your thoughts about success in your journal.
Enjoy!
Talane
