WHAT REALLY IS SUCCESS IN LIFE
I think success is different for everyone and can't be termed in values of what you get or achieve in life..So long as you're not content and you're able to live comfortably without fear of losing everything you have, without fear of imminent danger at all times you're probably what I would consider successful. To me, success is doing better in my family with every generation... better job, more comfortable life, being able to give the things I want to my own children, should I have them in the future..I don't know that I can consider having my own family a "success..." but being close to that family would be. I see plenty of unhappy families out there. Rich and poor. I don't know that having a good job is 'success' because 'good jobs' often burn people out or they just hate them. A 'good job' to me is something you enjoy doing and make enough to live on at it. A "GREAT" job is doing one that you love and pays you hand over foot for it or offers great benefits (and im not talking medical, im talking travel, personal time, perks etc) Success is finding who you are in the world and making your place in it.
DOES SUCCESS LIES SOLY IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
I think success is different for everyone and can't be termed in values of what you get or achieve in life..So long as you're not content and you're able to live comfortably without fear of losing everything you have, without fear of imminent danger at all times you're probably what I would consider successful. To me, success is doing better in my family with every generation... better job, more comfortable life, being able to give the things I want to my own children, should I have them in the future..I don't know that I can consider having my own family a "success..." but being close to that family would be. I see plenty of unhappy families out there. Rich and poor. I don't know that having a good job is 'success' because 'good jobs' often burn people out or they just hate them. A 'good job' to me is something you enjoy doing and make enough to live on at it. A "GREAT" job is doing one that you love and pays you hand over foot for it or offers great benefits (and im not talking medical, im talking travel, personal time, perks etc) Success is finding who you are in the world and making your place in it.
DOES SUCCESS LIES SOLY IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
In academia, success often refers to finding a tenure-track job --- a difficult task that not all PhDs accomplish. Those that don't often see themselves as failures, and become depressed and anxious. Given the lack of academic positions, the real problem lies in the narrow way in which we defined failure and success in academia.
In academe, the epitome of success is a tenure-track job at a research university. A lesser degree of success is awarded to those who hold jobs at liberal-arts colleges, and even less so at community colleges. Nonacademic careers, however, are simply unacceptable in the culture of traditional academia.
These attitudes may seem outlandish, but they're often seen among doctoral students and faculty. Attitudes can vary among disciplines and departments. Still, the narrow view of success persists for many students, faculty, and administrators. However, only a small percentage of PhDs will become tenure-track professors at research institutions. For example, researchers Maresi Nerad and Joseph Cerny discovered that less than 60% percent of English PhDs were on the tenure track or tenured 10 years after graduation. Less than 20% of those worked at research universities.
On top of that, about 50% of graduate students never complete their PhDs, according to Barbara Lovitts, author of Leaving the Ivory Tower: The Causes and Consequences of the Departure From Doctoral Study. Most students who begin doctoral study never make it to the tenure-track. It's probably not surprising, then, that depression and anxiety are serious problems for many graduate students.
How can we improve the situation? Try to expand your perspective on careers for PhDs -- move beyond the limited perspective and consider other images of success. What is it that you need to be happy? What is success to you? Not your advisor -- you. reconsider success and failure. We have overly narrow definitions of each.
During graduate school continue to pursue your other interests. Seek experiences that will prepare you for alternative careers (e.g., grant writing, leadership seminars, and more). Changing your mind and moving away from the tenure track is right for some students. Finally, even if your hope is a tenure track position, prepare yourself for other opportunities.
WHAT SUCCESS IS NOT
Well I’ll tell you what it’s not. Even thought many of us like to periodically visit our own personal Fantasyland complete with its mansions, servants, fancy cars and trips to exotic places (check under the heading of “What I Would Do if I Won the Lottery”) most of us over the age of twelve with any experience under our belts are realistic enough to recognize our Fantasyland for what it is. A fun place to visit but one sorely lacking in personal fulfillment.
Unfortunately, there are many in our society who have bought into the concept that equates “success” with big money. And you can’t really blame them. Our entertainment industry and the media have vigorously promoted this concept. “Join us now as we take a closer look at the lifestyles of the rich and famous!” “Travel in luxurious style in our Really Expensive Vehicle!” “Are you ready to be a Success? I made a million dollars last year and you can do the same!” “Dress for Success with this Really Expensive Suit from the Really Expensive Store!”
OK, all you with a huge checking account and a pile of assets can just relax and take a deep breath. I personally feel than anyone who has worked hard and has earned their money honestly is deserving of at least a pat on the back. There’s a good chance that a lot of people have benefited in one way or another from your efforts. That’s another checkmark in the plus column.
So yes, money can be an indication of – or a result of – success. But it ain’t “success”.
So what is success anyway? Here’s old Gene’s personal opinion. Success is simply taking the steps to do the things you want to do. And it doesn’t matter what those “things” are. It can be just being the best mom or dad possible. Or being the best teacher or secretary or tree-trimmer or banjo player or dog groomer or volunteer that you can possibly be. And no, you don’t need to be better than anyone else at what you like to do. Just working to be the best you can be – at whatever interests you - immediately qualifies you as a huge accomplish in life. If you’ll set this image in your head and work for it, you can immediately consider yourself to be “successful”. In fact, maybe you should get a plaque or poster that says “I’m Successful!” and place it in some highly visible spot in your house or apartment. What the heck. You deserve it!
What really is success?
laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one's self; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived –
This is to have succeeded.
You may have succeeded at life if...
If you do something noone ever accomplished before.
If you give more to the human race than you take away.
If you are ever a world champion.
If you spend more time happy than sad.
If you practice refined taste.
If you spend less time thinking about other people than they spend thinking about you.
If you have two or more surviving children.
If you have sex with more people than your partners.
If you die with more money than your parents.
If when the time comes you don't fear death.
If someone remembers you 100 years after you're gone.
If you make a difference in just one person's life.
If you ever get someone to truly love you.
If you accomplish everything which was expected of you and more.
If you never purposefully harm anyone.
...But the truth is, there is no official score.
SUCCESS IS YOURS……
In academe, the epitome of success is a tenure-track job at a research university. A lesser degree of success is awarded to those who hold jobs at liberal-arts colleges, and even less so at community colleges. Nonacademic careers, however, are simply unacceptable in the culture of traditional academia.
These attitudes may seem outlandish, but they're often seen among doctoral students and faculty. Attitudes can vary among disciplines and departments. Still, the narrow view of success persists for many students, faculty, and administrators. However, only a small percentage of PhDs will become tenure-track professors at research institutions. For example, researchers Maresi Nerad and Joseph Cerny discovered that less than 60% percent of English PhDs were on the tenure track or tenured 10 years after graduation. Less than 20% of those worked at research universities.
On top of that, about 50% of graduate students never complete their PhDs, according to Barbara Lovitts, author of Leaving the Ivory Tower: The Causes and Consequences of the Departure From Doctoral Study. Most students who begin doctoral study never make it to the tenure-track. It's probably not surprising, then, that depression and anxiety are serious problems for many graduate students.
How can we improve the situation? Try to expand your perspective on careers for PhDs -- move beyond the limited perspective and consider other images of success. What is it that you need to be happy? What is success to you? Not your advisor -- you. reconsider success and failure. We have overly narrow definitions of each.
During graduate school continue to pursue your other interests. Seek experiences that will prepare you for alternative careers (e.g., grant writing, leadership seminars, and more). Changing your mind and moving away from the tenure track is right for some students. Finally, even if your hope is a tenure track position, prepare yourself for other opportunities.
WHAT SUCCESS IS NOT
Well I’ll tell you what it’s not. Even thought many of us like to periodically visit our own personal Fantasyland complete with its mansions, servants, fancy cars and trips to exotic places (check under the heading of “What I Would Do if I Won the Lottery”) most of us over the age of twelve with any experience under our belts are realistic enough to recognize our Fantasyland for what it is. A fun place to visit but one sorely lacking in personal fulfillment.
Unfortunately, there are many in our society who have bought into the concept that equates “success” with big money. And you can’t really blame them. Our entertainment industry and the media have vigorously promoted this concept. “Join us now as we take a closer look at the lifestyles of the rich and famous!” “Travel in luxurious style in our Really Expensive Vehicle!” “Are you ready to be a Success? I made a million dollars last year and you can do the same!” “Dress for Success with this Really Expensive Suit from the Really Expensive Store!”
OK, all you with a huge checking account and a pile of assets can just relax and take a deep breath. I personally feel than anyone who has worked hard and has earned their money honestly is deserving of at least a pat on the back. There’s a good chance that a lot of people have benefited in one way or another from your efforts. That’s another checkmark in the plus column.
So yes, money can be an indication of – or a result of – success. But it ain’t “success”.
So what is success anyway? Here’s old Gene’s personal opinion. Success is simply taking the steps to do the things you want to do. And it doesn’t matter what those “things” are. It can be just being the best mom or dad possible. Or being the best teacher or secretary or tree-trimmer or banjo player or dog groomer or volunteer that you can possibly be. And no, you don’t need to be better than anyone else at what you like to do. Just working to be the best you can be – at whatever interests you - immediately qualifies you as a huge accomplish in life. If you’ll set this image in your head and work for it, you can immediately consider yourself to be “successful”. In fact, maybe you should get a plaque or poster that says “I’m Successful!” and place it in some highly visible spot in your house or apartment. What the heck. You deserve it!
What really is success?
laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one's self; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived –
This is to have succeeded.
You may have succeeded at life if...
If you do something noone ever accomplished before.
If you give more to the human race than you take away.
If you are ever a world champion.
If you spend more time happy than sad.
If you practice refined taste.
If you spend less time thinking about other people than they spend thinking about you.
If you have two or more surviving children.
If you have sex with more people than your partners.
If you die with more money than your parents.
If when the time comes you don't fear death.
If someone remembers you 100 years after you're gone.
If you make a difference in just one person's life.
If you ever get someone to truly love you.
If you accomplish everything which was expected of you and more.
If you never purposefully harm anyone.
...But the truth is, there is no official score.
SUCCESS IS YOURS……
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