Do you think you are a success? Take the quiz!
Naomi Simson
B.Comm GAICD Non Exec Director, Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Keynote Speaker, Author
I am often asked after speaking engagements “what is it like to be successful?” – I answer that ‘success’ is a personal perception. Each person has their own definition, success is a personal notion; for some it is financial security, others being healthy – for yet others it is the depth of their friendships, as I discussed in my post Two Steps Towards Success.
I happened upon an old survey that I completed years ago. [I’m not sure where it came from, I had it in a spread sheet - if someone knows can they let me know so I can appropriately reference it].
In some way the questions represent a notion of ‘success’. Over time my answers may change. Interesting, however that most of the questions do relate to those five fundamental components of well-being documented by the New Economic Forum
- People Connection
- Being Active
- Take Notice
- Learning
- Give
Take a moment and rate yourself 1 to 10 for each of the questions below (10 representing doing really well) – and then consider of each of the elements where do you want to focus your energy (not all questions might be relevant).
After all 'success' is a personal journey.
- Finding meaningful and fulfilling work? ___
- Finding suitable spouse partner? ___
- Building a successful relationship with your spouse/partner? ___
- Raising your children? ___
- Building and/or maintaining a close relationship with your parents? ___
- Building and/or maintaining a close relationship with your siblings? ___
- Developing close friendships? ___
- Stewarding your financial resources? ___
- Living up to your intellectual potential? ___
- Nurturing your spiritual potential? ___
- Dealing with your fears? ___
- Finding wisdom? ___
- Taking care of your physical health? ___
- Taking care of your emotional health? ___
- Being of service to others? ___
- Being at one with yourself? ___
- Accepting your limitations? ___
- Coming to terms with aging and your own mortality? ___
- Everyone at birth is ‘dealt a hand,’ so to speak rate the quality of the ‘hand’ you were dealt? ___
- Overall, rate yourself on how well you believe you have played the game of life, given the hand you were dealt? ___
I have always operated believing that ‘if it is meant to be it is up to me’ – Where did you score below 5? And what are you going to do to work on that area? I’m reviewing my life in terms of the above and there is actions to be taken…
It is just as important to ask yourself hard questions about your life – and review how it is going – as it is for a business. All to often we drift from one thing to the next - not taking a moment to appreciate our 'successes'.
Photo: Stuart Weitzman “Ruby Slippers”
Naomi Simson is the founding director of Australian online tech success story RedBalloon. She has written more than 800 blog posts at NaomiSimson.com, is a professional speaker, author of Live what you Love (pre-order now) and now TV personality on Channel 10’s Shark Tank (airing January 2015). Get to know her further on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Content Writer, Top Editor, Copy Editor
11 年Great insights (even if my score was distinctly unimpressive) ... and fabulous shoes!
REALTOR
11 年I truly believe that if you wake up with a smile every morning looking forward to your day, you are successful. The smile and the joy says it all without going into an in depth analysis as to the why. The smile is the answer.
Copywriter, soccer coach
12 年This definitely made me aware of the areas I'm just not giving enough emphasis to. We can't become too embroiled in a few things on the list, but should have the big picture in mind. This was an awakening.
BSW
12 年I think this is a fairly subjective thing. Some people would place getting married and having children as an important marker for success, but I doubt a nun or a priest would. I always liked that poem attributed to Emerson. I think those qualities could be something to strive for.