How we define success
Bottom Line: Once upon a time success, the American Dream, was loosely defined as owning your home, raising a family and generally attaining a better quality of life than your parents. Somewhere along the way things changed a bit, at least for some people and with society’s values generally. As our society has become a bit more superficial so have our thoughts on what success looks like. A Pew Research Center headline currently reads, In U.S. Decline in Christianity continues at rapid pace. As morality and values continue to resemble whatever someone makes up today along with whatever gender they decide to identify with at any given time – comes this.
Populace and Gallup teamed up earlier this month to create a Success Index. Let’s say it’s as interesting as the times. First, the most common answer as to what makes someone else successful according to Americans today...fame. And that’s being driven by women. Women are 20% more likely to think being famous is important and 30% more likely to think have a large social media following is important. So that's the first big takeaway here. Men and women feel quite a bit different about what’s most important in a successful life. Given that fame was the most common response for a successful trait what’s interesting, and encouraging, is that most Americans feel that they’re personally successful - 81%.
The three most important characteristics we use to judge the success of others are:
- Status, education and finances
The three most important characteristics we judge our own success by are:
- Education, relationships, character
Overall, we rate ourselves a 68 out 100 on average. Interestingly, conservatives, 72% are more likely to view themselves as successful than liberals, 63%. The good news is the record opportunity in today's economy. Whatever does or doesn’t make you tick is out there waiting for you to seize it. And I’m pretty sure in the end, fame won’t be the definition of success or a life well lived. And be glad, there are far more happy, successful people who aren’t famous.