Over at dictionary.com they define success as:
1.  the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
2.  the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
3. a successful performance or achievement: The play was an instant success.
4. a person or thing that is successful: She was a great success on the talk show.

In the business world, success means different things to different people. One person may feel they are not successful until they are sitting in the CEO chair of a large corporation. Another may feel they have achieved success if they have a good paying job they enjoy, which in turn provides them with lots of time to spend with family and friends.

Is success really measured by money, title or awards hanging on your office wall? For some people the answer would be yes. For me I think success is feeling that I am getting the whole “work-life balance” thing right. I want to do a great job at work (and I’m lucky enough to have a job I love), but I also need enough energy left at the end of the day to go home and enjoy time with my family. I don’t always achieve success when it comes to work-life balance, but when I get it right, I feel successful. Feeling successful for me is not about the big bank account, the C Suite title and an office lined with awards, it is about making a valuable contribution everyday at work and at home.

I realize it may be very different for others, in fact, some may read this and think, “she is not very ambitious.” Success probably is about figuring out what will make you “feel” successful in your mind. If that is taking the big chair in the CEO’s office more power to you. We need people like you and we certainly need more women in these positions.

Whatever your definition of success I wish you much luck is achieving it. Just make sure you are truly feeling successful as you go about it.

What does success mean to you? Share your story by leaving a comment.