WHAT IS SUCCESS? MEASURING TRIUMPHS ONE DAY AT A TIME

A GOOD THING

Success is measured in steps over a lifetime, not by short term leaps and bounds.  As a ‘pro bono’ resume reviewer at job fairs and within community organizations,  I interact with people from all walks of life, at all stratum of society, who share one goal, to succeed.  People strive for excellence no matter what job they occupy in the present.

The job and job title take a back seat to the commitment to succeed be it as a restaurant server, a fast food cook, a construction worker, a dog walker, Accountants, executives, all want to move forward in their lives and careers.

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

‘Success’ denotes achievement, the realization of dreams, triumph over seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the drive and determination to go on.  But we as individuals define what success is and will be in our lives.

Outwardly society may define ‘success’ in financial measurements.  Ultimately what makes our lives successful is how well we strive to reach and achieve our own goals.

For cancer survivors, success is living, and living well, to see another day.

‘Did you hurt someone to achieve your own measure of success?’  is a rarely asked question and one to ponder.

‘Do you feel you are entitled to be successful?’ Or do you believe success is earned?  Personal introspection is important to uncover what success means to you.

SUCCESS IS PERSONAL: ARE YOU SUCCESSFUL? 

Success is a key goal, but what it means to be successful is intrinsically personal.  Successful people have a vision for the future and always move forward toward that dream.  The action of always moving forward against all odds is itself ‘success’.

Successful people live in the future, not the present.  They remove themselves from difficult circumstances and think of hardship and adversity as temporary.  Successful people do not allow themselves to become mired in hatred, regret, unhappiness or jealousy.  We are human and overcoming these emotions is a measurement of success.

WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?

If the attainment of wealth, if finishing college and landing a job, if finding a cure for a disease, if writing the great American novel, if passing the GED, is any of these is how you determine success and you achieved it, then you are successful. If substance is more important to you than societal ‘flash’? then you are successful on your own terms.

WHY WORRY ABOUT SUCCESS?

For personal satisfaction and happiness.   To gain a sense of accomplishment. To feel great about you yourself.

RECOGNITION OR SUCCESS?

When setting your goals for success, ask yourself if personal success is your goal determined by public recognition for your achievements.  Is your measurement of success the amount of praise you receive?

Recognition and acknowledgement for a job well done is important to all of us; inspires us to go on.  Recognition per se as a goal and measurement of success may be elusive and unachievable.

If you would like help determining and measuring success for you in the job market and you would like your resume to reflect all your successes, I can help you.  Contact me to Marcia@thejobsearchadvisor.com for an evaluation of your successes and achievements in your career.