Why You Are More Successful Than You Think

Hi, I’m Chad. I like to travel, play video games and spend time with loved ones. I am 22 and I live in my mom’s basement. I have held and left two jobs. I had my own place, but I moved back home since I wasn’t working any more. I currently work part time at a family business and spend a lot of time at home.

Now, think about the word “success” and how you have come to define it. Maybe it is your own definition that you have sculpted. Maybe is a definition painted for you by your parents, friends or by society. Now compare that description of success to what I just described my life to be like. Does it match?

My guess is no, it doesn’t match. Actually, probably not even close.

Well, here’s something you may find interesting: I have never felt more successful in my life.

No, I am not going to reveal that I actually own a multi-million dollar startup that I run from my home or something like that. It took me some time to feel this way.

See, I used to be ashamed to answer the question “so what are you up to these days?”. I was ashamed because I thought people assumed they would be showered with tales of the momentous accomplishments I had made at work or beautiful new apartment I had in the cool city.

But I couldn’t supply them with a story like that.

I looked at some of my friends and people around me that were getting jobs that paid well and moving out and felt like they were successful and I wasn’t.

I didn’t understand why I would rather spend time with my family and friends than long hours working to make a great wage. I didn’t understand why spending time volunteering and helping others seemed more important than having a steady job with a steady salary. I didn’t understand why being home with my family was more important to me than having an awesome place on my own.

These feelings persisted for some time before it hit me one day… maybe there isn’t one definition for success. Maybe, the definition of success that I had been chasing- you know, the one where I have that awesome job for that well known company and have the big house with the nice cars and nice things- was wrong for me. Maybe, I defined success differently.

I began to examine what was important to me in life; what my priorities were. And what I started to realize was that definition of success- the one that society had painted for me- actually didn’t fit my priorities.

I began to view my life differently. I began to view my daily activities as being more meaningful and my goals began to change in order to fit my new definition of success. I measured myself less against what others did around me, and more by what I was doing to make myself happy and add meaning to my life.

What if you need to shift the definition of success you measure yourself by as well? What if your priorities are much different than those of people around you?

Maybe you are successful if you spend time with your kids and are the best parent you can be. Maybe you are successful if you have a deeper faith and involvement in your church community. Maybe you are successful if you donate your money or your time. Maybe you are successful if you help to change the lives of people around you. Maybe you are successful if you make a difference at your work and move up in your company. Maybe you are successful if you take care of your body and are healthy.

Compare your definition of success to your priorities in life. Do they match? If not, begin to create a new definition of success for yourself. One that brings meaning to your days and changes the way you look at how you spend your time.

Hi I’m Chad. I am 22 years old and I live at home with my Mom and my sister where I am able to be a great son and brother. I am able to help my mom around the house and make her life easier since she does so much for her family. My sister and I are closer than ever and I enjoy seeing her grow and mature. I am able to spend time with my wonderful girlfriend and those that are important to me and give them the time that they deserve. I am able to donate my time and some of what money I have to great causes that are making a difference in the world. I focus on traveling and seeing the world which feeds my creativity and breeds my innovation. I am able to slow down and write meaningful articles that I hope bring change to people’s lives.

Hi, I’m Chad. I am very successful.