How Do You Measure Success?

If you were to measure success, what would it look like? Would it be based on the amount of money you have acquired? The number of friends you have? The activities you are involved in and how well you complete them? Or would it be measured by the legacy you leave behind?

Success is not the same for everyone. It is defined by what you consider to be your goal and whether you have achieved it. If your goal is financial wealth—perhaps becoming a millionaire—then your definition of success will look very different from someone like Mother Teresa, whose desire was to change the world through compassion and service. Ultimately, success is shaped by the individual who decides what kind of impact they want to make in their life.

At times, success can be self-focused. If a person’s efforts are centered only on improving their own life or the lives of their immediate family, that is one definition of success. However, success can also be outward-focused, where concern for others and the broader community becomes central. In North America, success is often pursued from an individualistic perspective—focused on personal achievement and advancement rather than collective progress. In contrast, in many Eastern cultures, success is viewed through a communal lens: when one person succeeds, the community benefits. The emphasis is on collective effort rather than individual gain.

So again, what does success mean to you? From an individualistic perspective, success may appear fulfilling, yet in another environment, true success may be defined by how many people benefit from your mission and goals. In that context, success is shared, and its value extends beyond the individual.

For me, success is measured by the impact I have on others—how I help people grow and develop in their areas of need. It is reflected in the legacy I leave behind, not only for my children but for future generations. Whether I personally gain from it is less important. What matters most is how I feel after doing something meaningful that benefits others.

I strive to live my life with the hope of leaving a legacy rooted in collective growth rather than individual accomplishment. I want what I build and contribute to extend beyond my own family and positively affect those who come after me. That is what success looks like to me.