? Success ≠ money ?

Have you ever looked at someone and envied the success they achieved? Think back to that moment. What exactly were you defining as success? Good looks? A big house? For a lot of us, we define success in a financial manner. Successful people have a lot of money, and they get to use that money for things like designer bags, lavish vacations, and mansions by the ocean.

The trouble with equating success to money is that you’re defining success in a superficial way. True success is something that happens internally, not externally. How can we view success in a healthier, more productive way? Here are a few factors to consider.

? Success shouldn’t depend on circumstances outside of your control. We’ve all read stories of wealthy people who became homeless due to costly medical bills or a drop in the stock market. Sometimes, things happen that we have no control over. But when you define success as having a big house, you may feel discouraged when you have to downsize or rent for a while.?

? Success is personal. It all depends on what YOU want to get out of life. This could be completely different for any two people. For example, one person might think their life has been successful because they and their partner had a large, close-knit family that spent a lot of time outdoors. Another person might view their child-free life as successful because they had the ability to visit 47 different countries.?

? Success IS about value, but not in a monetary form. I’d argue that success has a lot to do with what value you bring to others. Are you kind, thoughtful, and compassionate? Do you care for others both privately and publicly??

? Most importantly, having money never replaces human connection. Some ‘successful’ people value things over people. That may bring short-term joy, but will ultimately lead to long-term loneliness. We need to value relationships with others.

Tell me in the comments– how do YOU define success?