December Topic: Define success.
By Alicia Williams with Babb’s Blessings
Success.
The definition in webster’s dictionary is:
1 a: degree or measure of succeeding
1 b: favorable or desired outcome
also: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
2: one that succeeds
3 obsolete: OUTCOME, RESULT
As I have grown older, the way I define and measure success in my life has drastically changed. In my younger years, it was purely based on financial gain. My thought process was the more money I made, the more successful I was. I was a teacher, so I never felt truly successful because I did not make a lot of money.
Success to me now is happiness for my husband and myself, as well as serving others. That version of success aligns fully with what I am doing in my career and personal life. A huge part of how I measure success is by taking my experiences and sharing them, so others know they are not alone in their struggles and hardships. While that may sound cliché’ or warm and fuzzy to others being relatable is what truly matters to me.
I used to be a follower and a huge people pleaser, presenting myself the way I thought other people wanted to see me. I never put up boundaries in my work or personal life. Ignoring what brought me joy so I could fit into that mold and make everyone else happy. While on the outside I appeared happy and successful, it could not have been farther from the truth. I was losing myself in the process and sliding down a slippery slope.
While finances are indeed important, and my husband and I want to be comfortable with our financial situation, that is not how I measure or define success anymore. You can have all the money in the world and not be happy. To me, that is not success.
Happiness and joy in my life equals success. It is truly that simple for me.
While being happy all the time is not realistic. At the end of the day, I know I am doing what I love. Not trying to fit into anyone’s mold except my own. The more people’s lives I can impact in a positive way, the more successful I am. The more I align myself with my values and my purpose in life the more successful I become.