Saw an interesting post somewhere on the blogosphere about a writer whose friend looked down on her, took pity on her for not making the kind of money he does (that could be any number of blogs, eh?). Okay, that’s just wrong. Pitying someone for making less than you do? What the heck? One thing did stand out – the definition of success.
So how do you define success? What does it take, in your mind, to be successful? Are you there yet? If so, when did that happen? If not, when do you expect it? How does a writer, or anyone for that matter, define success?
I’m successful. This year has been the best so far. Was I successful last year when the bottom was falling out from November through December? Hell yes. I was still doing it on my own, still meeting my bills and obligations, still providing for my kids. I made less – a lot less – than this year, but I felt successful.
You?
Am I successful? Absolutely. I’m building a business, and I’m doing it on my own, through my own hard work and ingenuity.
I’ve had people sniff down their nose at me because my income is XXXXX while theirs is XXXXXXXXX, as if that somehow makes me inferior. But you know what? Money is only one part of the equation. Success is so much more — sense of accomplishment, being happy with your work, the respect of your peers.
Yeah, you betcha I’m successful.
Amen, Sue. I’m with you. Money is not the only measurement to success. In fact, it’s not even the most important one.
Success to me means I live in peace. I’m happy with my station in life at this moment, I love what I do each day, my necessities are met, I get to spend time loving my family and bill collectors are not banging at my door (or calling at all hours). I don’t need a lot to feel like a HUGE success. 🙂
Success, to me, is having enough money to pay the bills with a little left over to fund long-term dreams … AND being able to spend my time the way I want to, not having to answer to a boss. If I want to goof off and take my kids to the pool, by golly I’ll do it and work later in the evening. No amount of money is enough if I don’t enjoy what I’m doing.
I’d like to echo all of your sentiments and add this: if you’re still struggling to meet your own definition of success, stick with it! It’ll be worth it in the long run.
That’s the whole problem, isn’t it, people tend to think that just because I work at home, that I’m somehow less successful and intelligent?? Gah!
Success, to me, is enjoying what I do and making money at the same (maybe not as much as I used to make working fulltime but so what? I’ve got all the flexibility in the world that some people can only dream about) 😉