"Measuring success" Traditionally, success has been measured by external factors like salary and job title. The higher the salary and the more impressive the title, the more successful you are perceived to be. But is this really the whole picture? This illustration by Liz Fosslien highlights a more well-rounded approach to measuring success. It emphasizes the importance of factors like mental and physical health, work-life balance, and enjoying what you do. After all, what good is a high-paying job if it comes at the cost of your health and happiness? True success is about achieving a balance between all of these factors. What are your thoughts on how we measure success? #motivation #productivity #mindset
Adam Leis
3w
It's a sad truth that we like to take granular/gradient answers and super-simplify/over-generalize them. I suspect the same is true with things like personality tests: the low-res tests get popular and hi-res tests are ignored. Kudos for calling it out though 👏 title and salary are a terribly anemic way to measure success. (Or the implicit bias towards prestige and financial wealth are too-easipy smuggled into value assessments.)
Nicholas F.
2w
Why was salary omitted in the second diagram? In many places, people are dealing with a cost of living crises. It doesn’t feel realistic to remove salary. For many people, the money is very, very important. Edit: if it’s the unlabelled “slice” I would then ask, why is it so small in a time when people are desperately needing to make ends meet while the cost of everything is going up?
Jason O.
3w
I think this is an interesting diagram, though obviously simplified. I think it's important to highlight that the notion of "success" as described here is referencing both an intrinsic view of how you've come to define success AND an extrinsic sense of how others view success. Moreover, the measure of success WITHIN a company will also have a similar sort of divergence between self-perceived success vs a corporate measure of success. In case it wasn't obvious, I'd of course subscribe to "A Better Measure," however, it takes two to tango, and unless those around you (including your employers, spouse/partner, etc.) subscribe to the same perspective, trying to live by your personal measures of success could put you at odds with those around you.
Thank you for sharing perspective about success ! I feel success is an evaluation therefore a judgement on a situation that feels good, and I would say that tends to the highest good for all. How can I each day give a contribution with joy for myself and others ? How can even smallest actions can make a difference for myself and others ? Success for me is an appreciation of a situation. If a situation gets uncomfortable and we or others make what we judge are mistakes we tend to call it failure as the result doesn't correspond to our desire and needs. Needs like freedom, respect, love, trust, purpose... And many more ! I am thinking is success the result or the process ? 🤔 Success I would say is when our actions brings fulfillment to our needs. Our personal and other needs. As we feel one and alignment with ourselves and others. Success as our capacity to express our true self and talents, a shining energy that brings inspiration and connection. ✨
Well said! It's a breath of fresh air to see someone taking a more well-rounded approach to defining success. I'd like to toss another ingredient into this mix - the idea of 'community impact'. Picture yourself in a role where your company is actively making waves in social causes close to your heart. That kind of involvement can add a whole new dimension of satisfaction that's often lacking in those high-paying gigs that leave you feeling empty inside.
So the traditional way was correct then. Without a salary you can't do what you like, you won't have free time and be on a welfare check, you can't take care of you physical health nor mental health. The above is true only if you make a good amount of money. Imagine trying to do what you like, with no money. Not possible. So the way to achieve the second circle, is to focus on the fist circle first.
"Success is like a well-balanced meal - it's not just about the fancy main course, but also the nutritious sides and dessert."
You seem to measure success in per cent. I think it has a numeric value, built as coefficient.
Great point. Liking what you do is amazing for sure. I have to add that even more critically is doing something good and helpful! The first thing I care for in my job search is the company field. Is it a good/green/ethical company or not? Does it solve a real problem that improves people quality of life or just makes me another high-paid "small gear" in a big evil machine ☹️
Senior Software Engineer @ Delivery Hero | Designing and Building products for scale.
3wI guess the missing label in the lower pie chart is Salary! 😁