How Do You Measure Success?

Ask the next ten people you meet - whether on the street or in the boardroom - how they measure success. Its interesting exercise, and well worth the effort.

One businessman we asked came up with a list. He measures success six ways: Salary, prestige, Recognition, Cool "Toys," Satisfacion, and Balance.

Another business expert provided a shorter list: Profit, Longevity, Satisfaction and a loyal Following.

A third person stopped in mid-walk and recited his credo for success as if he had memorized it in school: "The alignment of culture with the company and the performance of people within that business strategy."

A woman who enjoyed cooking decided that she was successful because nobody died from her recipes yet.

And then there are all the adages for success, including "Success is measured by the company you keep" and "Success is measured by the journey."

That's all fine and dandy. But what can you make of all these definitions of success? It seems the only sure thing about success is that everyone measures it differently.

Perhaps that's the key to it all.

Everyone meaures success differntly. Don't force your definition of success to others. Find out how they measure success for themselves.