For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.
Viktor Frankl
1905 – 1997
How do you measure success? Before I answer that question, I’d like you to spend a minute or so thinking about it. What’s your definition of success?
For a lot of people, there’s only one measure: money. And in some cases, money is a perfectly adequate measure of success. But in my view, it’s a poor measure for many situations.
What if you enjoy creative writing and you write a book, but you never submit it to a publisher? Or you might enjoy painting, but would never consider selling your work. Are you still a successful author or painter? What’s the value of a creative accomplishment?
Before you decide, consider another scenario. Do you know anyone who makes a high salary but feels unfulfilled by their job or career?
I know authors who find fulfillment in writing but have trouble enjoying it because they receive little or no money compared to the amount of time they invest. Too many people gauge the worth of writing by its earning power rather than by the satisfaction the author derives from the creative process.
I know artists who earn little or no money from their paintings. But these artists don’t paint to make money. They paint for the sense of fulfillment they receive from creating a work of art.
I also know many people who earn above average incomes but are miserable in their professions. We find it easy to judge creative types for doing what they enjoy but rarely question the unhappy workers slaving away for money.
I wonder if we have our priorities backwards. Maybe we should encourage more self-expression and focus less on using money to measure success.
Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.
Benjamin Franklin
1706 – 1790
Copyright © 2013 John Chancellor
I love Viktor Frankl’s work s I am delighted you quoted him, John. I Agree with you that we can define success in a different way! THanks for pointing that out.
diana
This post should be mandatory reading in college. Too many students graduate thinking the road to happiness is lined with money. They end up discouraged and disillusioned. Their focus should have been on building a fulfilling, interesting and meaningful life, not on obtaining the highest salary.
Diana and Susan,
Thanks to both of you for your comments and insights. I believe most young people are done a disservice because schools and our culture focus on the wrong things.
It took me a long time and lots of struggles to realize there was a better way to define success.
John