What is "success"?

[Vegosiux]

Now, here's a thought I've been playing with. Success. Another one of those expressions people like to swing around a whole lot as if it was a dead cat, but what does it actually mean? There are lots of constants that are likely to pop up when the topic is "success", such as

Spoiler: Being a rich businessman

Spoiler: Or a major political figure

Spoiler: A renowned actor idol

Spoiler: Or someone who fought for what they believed in and pushed through

Spoiler: Some would say just getting laid a lot counts, too

But how about....

Spoiler: Living and dying in poverty only to be recognized posthumosly

Spoiler: Becoming the symbol of something that's generally reviled by many

Spoiler: Or just being an average person, but with a big happy family?

So Escapists, what are your thoughts on it? I ultimately decided against adding a poll, because I think an essay-type question is better than a multiple choice one for this.

But, to you, what makes a person "successful"? I personally think that ultimately, it's simpyl living a decent life, coping with everything it throws at you, and finishing with no major regrets to speak of.

Captcha says "stinky feet", but I doubt many will agree.

 

[krazykidd]

Success is when other people acknowledges you .

You can be as happy as you want about the things you have done for yourself. But unless other people acknowledge what you have done, you are not successful.

Or at least, that's what i feel it means in this day and age.

 

[Keoul]

Success is when you accomplish a task you set out to complete.
You wanted and had a meaningful life? bam you were successful. You wanted to ace a test and did? bam successful again. Everything else doesn't really matter to me, as long as you succeed in something then you are successful, success isn't limited to one specific event.

 

[Spade Lead]

Success is when you achieve your life goals, no matter what they are. I want to have at least one novel published and on the best seller list.

 

[Thaluikhain]

*ahem*

...To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their significant others[footnote]Xena has been...enlightening...mighty Conan.[/footnote]...

I was going to say that.

But yeah, success is what we choose for ourselves, and what we don't see in people we want to seem better than.

 

[Foolery]

Going by the standards of society where I live.

-Having your own place, whether a house or just renting.
-Owning a truck.
-Decent job, preferably in the oilfield, skilled trades, etc.
-Significant other or spouse. Preferably married or planning to being married in the future.
-All of these things should be accomplished by age 24. If not, you're a failure.

All in all, fuck rural Canada, especially the Northern Interior of BC. This isn't the 1970s, the job market kinda sucks at times, and all I ever hear is people claiming we need more young people in the trades, despite companies appearing to have very little interest in taking on apprentices.

My version of success.

-Having your own place.
-Vehicle if you can afford it.
-Any job that make ends meet, preferably a bit of money to play with, whether it's for something practical like education or whatever you want to do.

And that's it.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Success is different for everybody. For me it means living a meaningful life. Whether its something simple like raising up a good family, or something big like curing cancer or being a war hero. If you leave the world behind better then you left it then you are successful in my book.