How do you define success?

As twenty-somethings, we’re constantly dealing with pressure from society to prove ourselves to other people. Are we making enough money? Are we where we should be at this age? Are we actually happy or just making it look like it on Instagram? After finally venturing out into the real world after years of having a set path, now the pressure is on to turn all of our resources from the past into results. It’s a  pivotal point in this whole growing up process.

Over the weekend I attended a beautiful wedding of two of my great friends from college. It was a huge reunion and so good to catch up with everyone. After lots of new introductions, small talk, and deep conversations,  I got to thinking about how many different ways you can define success. Even though we’re all pretty much the same age, so many of us are on completely different pages and in various stages of life. Some friends are already married with babies (!?), while others are going back to school to study their true passions, and some are even taking a break to travel the world. It’s cool to see the different things everyone’s doing and what they’ve accomplished already.

So..how do you define success? The answer depends on who you ask. I was talking to one of my good friends about the 5 things that make me feel the most successful, so I’m sharing them with you guys. I think it’s good to write down your thoughts about what you really think success is – so you can have a more defined path of how to achieve it.

1. Appreciation for what you already have. I made this one first for an important reason. Nothing else I write in this post will matter unless you’ve nailed this one.

2. Waking up and loving what you do. Our lives revolve around work, so it’s natural for us to want our career to be something we love and are passionate about. Whether you’re making millions or not so much, If you love waking up and going to work in the morning then you’re doing something right. It’s stimulating, keeps you motivated, and makes you feel like you’re fulfilling your purpose.

3. Liking yourself. Having a healthy relationship with yourself is one of the first steps when it comes to personal success & happiness. We’ve heard it before, but you really can’t have a successful relationship with other people until you’re at peace with who you are and have confidence in the person you’ve become. This is where your peace of mind stems from. If you don’t already, make more time for alone-time and building up your independence. It’s a process!

4. Fulfilling relationships. Warren Buffett (the second wealthiest man in the world) said the measure of success is whether the people close to you are happy and love you. I love this. It’s so true. Nothing in my life makes me happier than loving and being loved by the people I admire and respect.  Successful relationships play a huge role in my definition of success. And isn’t it the truth that happiness isn’t real unless it’s shared?

5. Being good at what you do and using it to impact the lives of others. I think one of the most fulfilling things you’ll experience in this life is finding your gift and using it to impact the lives of others. From a spiritual stand point, we were all created with our own unique talents so that we could help, reach, love, and relate to other people. If you have a platform to share your opinion in a positive way, do it. If your gift is serving others, sharing your faith, motivating people, etc., keep doing it! Your ability to make a positive difference in other people’s lives will bring you personal success that money can’t give you.

5. Financial freedom. I’m sure we all wouldn’t mind seeing 6 figures in our bank account and a Bentley parked in our garage. It’s only human for us to want money, recognition, and power at times. I couldn’t write this post without mentioning the fact that making money and finding financial success in your career is one of the most rewarding things. But more importantly, financial freedom is what it’s all about. There’s nothing that makes me feel more financially successful than the idea that I do not have to rely on anyone else to take care of me or assist with my financial needs.

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A healthy balance of all of these things is what success means to me. But that’s the tricky part, finding that balance and maintaining it. I think it’s smart to think it over and develop your own clear idea of how you define success. That way, you’ll be able to create a more strategic path of how to get there. Just some thing to think about… good night! xo