Success is not just about Money
@penrockerchic (1903)
Philippines
June 5, 2012 9:14am CST
I always seem to be asking myself why some if not most people think that success is just about money. We have all seen movies and shows and there are even books that tell you that success is just not about the money. That's what I know and what I still continue to believe in. I may not be earning six figures every month, but, I have to say, I'm pretty okay and contented with my job and where it is leading me to. I still find myself successful in so many ways, and it really hurts a bit when people think otherwise. I really dislike it when some friends or even family members tell you me to find another better paying job or even go somewhere else where there will be so much promise in terms of my career. But, what they don't see is that where I am is where I want to be in terms of my job description. Yes, I may not be earning that much but I am happy despite the pressures and some stressful hours I encounter everyday. It's just that I wish people would stop categorizing your success in terms of how much you have in your bank account.
Any thoughts mylotters?
5 people like this
21 responses
@justcrafttalk (108)
• United States
5 Jun 12
I started a job and quit the next week
They lied to me from the get-go and then asked me to do some things I couldn't---not without much guilt and hurt
This could have made me a lot of money but although nothing was illegal I just couldn't do it
Yes there are plenty of folks that are looking at my bank account and judging me by that
but although it hurts a lot
I'm pretty proud of myself and as long as you are proud of your life
God bless you!
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Thanks! Nice to hear that you are proud of yourself. God bless you too.
@justcrafttalk (108)
• United States
6 Jun 12
yes,visavis
you are quite right
money can buy THINGS but not success
success,to me,is happiness and pride in yourself
true wealth isn't just money in the bank
it's when you are rich in EVERY area of your life,too
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Yes, success may have wider and broader meaning in life but there are just really some people who measure you with how much money you have on your wallet or something like that and with that they would either regard you as successful or not. But then again, what you said, contentment plays a larger part in the whole success story thing.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
6 Jun 12
su90990, it seems that for you money really matters a lot when it comes to your success, but don't you think that there's more to money when it comes to defining your success? So as long as you're earning much, that for you is success am I right? 
@GardenGerty (160612)
• United States
5 Jun 12
If we think only of money as success it makes us unhappy because no matter how much money we have it is never really enough. Being happy and challenged in your job sounds really successful to me.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
What do you think would be the challenges that you want in your job that could actually determine your success? Isn't it that most of the time, people still challenge you with how much you can earn on a payday or something like that? But surely, having a few challenges that you can surpass especially in your job and rising to the top would definitely mean being successful.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160612)
• United States
7 Jun 12
Most of my employment has to do with taking care of people. I think the challenge is to do my best for others without burning myself out. I am going back to a former agency. I worked three months at a competitor, for more money, but it just is not worth it. I have been in top positions at both companies, and that is not the challenge I want at this time. I want to "have enough" which means pay current and past bills, and have some fun. I want to live in good physical and mental health til I can retire.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
6 Jun 12
like you, i think success is never about the money. sadly, many people tend to measure success by money and money alone. what would having tons of money make a person successful if he has no family, no friends and nothing else to show for? thing about money, you can get it if you are willing to work for it.
to me, success is measured more by intangible things. if you look at maslow's hierarchy of needs, money is way down below and has got nothing to do with the higher level needs.
to a certain extent, success to me can be measured by this hierarchy of needs. where you are on the hierarchy signifies how successful you are in life. 
to me, success is measured more by intangible things. if you look at maslow's hierarchy of needs, money is way down below and has got nothing to do with the higher level needs. to a certain extent, success to me can be measured by this hierarchy of needs. where you are on the hierarchy signifies how successful you are in life. @applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
8 Jun 12
there are actually five levels of needs. money will only help fulfill the two on the lowest rung.
some may say that money can also help with social needs,
on level three. some may go even further and say that self-esteem is provided by money. but self-actualisation would need much more than money.
some may say that money can also help with social needs, on level three. some may go even further and say that self-esteem is provided by money. but self-actualisation would need much more than money. @penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
I remember Maslow's hierarchy of needs. That's for self-actualization right? A self-actualized individual is way more successful than a businessman with nothing on his mind but money and money alone.
1 person likes this
@indahfth (11161)
• Indonesia
8 Jun 12
Right now, I've lost a good relationship with my family, and even with myself. I am controlled by them all. I had to obey, their desires. All that will happen, because I do not have the money. In fact I do not have the right, to make a decision. My life, only to return the favor to them.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
Well, I think that most of us would have to deal with the fact that at some point in our lives, we struggle for money and that's okay. What matters is that you should not just depend all of your happiness on money and the idea of earning tons of them when on the other hand, you lose some really great relationships with yourself, family and friends.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Success is something that is a wide variety of things, more than many people out there could imagine. Money would be part of the success indeed, but it is a very narrow minded view of success. Then again, people would consider it rather narrow minded to consider that money was not a metric of success. Then again, success is something that varies.
It is all about achieving what many might consider to be a tough and winding road. Where there are just going to be many people that are not going to be able to rather succeed with a lot of everything. Sadly however, given that people are simplistic in general, money is the easiest measure of success, because it can in fact be measured. But there is far more than that.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Well put. Thanks for those insights. Yeah I guess people tend to go the easy way and since money seems to be the easiest means of measuring success, then people tend to go that direction. It's really a narrow minded way of defining success that way but maybe, just maybe people could stop thinking beyond more than money.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
I'm just wondering though, how much money is enough too be considered on the bracket of successful people? So if you're not as rich as any millionaire in your hometown, then you're not considered successful then? O do get your point but I think having money as the only metrics for one's success can be too shallow and not as concrete as we might think of it to be.
@lihongqi (25)
• China
6 Jun 12
Yeah,i totally agree with megamtt`s point that money is the easiest measure of success,because it can in fact be measured easily.I think most of people will have the same issue that money is`t the only metric of success,it is just a part of it .But, why a lot of people will use the amount of money you own to measure someone`s success ? I think the reason is that they don`t understand your real life`s situation, thay can`t measure you by any other factors .Do you agree with me ?
@peavey (16936)
• United States
7 Jun 12
I totally agree that success is not just about money. Others have responded very eloquently and I'm not sure that I can add anything to that. Happiness is the ultimate in success, I think. Those who have managed to accumulate money but are not happy are not successes, no matter how the world views them.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
Yeah, a lot had already said their piece and have commented so well about this matter. I really appreciate it that you shared your thoughts and that you agree with what I've said. Actually, when I started this discussion, I was worried that a lot of mylotters won't agree with what I had to say about success and thankfully, I was wrong. Thanks for the response.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
9 Jun 12
Hi penrockerchic, Success seems to mean different things to different people but I agree with you, it should never be all about money. We are all born with certain talents and abilities and we usually do best when we are doing something along those lines. I don't think a person is wise to think only in terms of making money. A Successful person is a happy person. Blessings.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
So true. I really think that skills and talents, one's passion are also important in terms of success. If a person maybe working in a desk job that pays him big time but isn't happy or doesn't even have a life outside work, I really wouldn't consider him that successful.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Jun 12
For me, I know that we have got to have money in order to survive, but I don't think that the size of our bank accounts has anything at all to do with the success that we have in our lives.
You see, our family is a humble family and both my husband and myself come from humble beginnings. However, we have a house that is filled to overflowing with love and we have friends that we cherish and to me, those two things mean more than any amount of money could ever mean.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
I'm happy to hear that. Nothing beats a loving husband who knows about your humble beginnings and to be loved and cherished by people you truly care about. That to me is pretty successful.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
5 Jun 12
Success is what you make of it and how you feel about yourself. it sin't about how much money you have or wish you had. success is as much a state of mind as it is a financial attribute.@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
Success, just like happiness, is a state of mind. Thanks for reminding us.
@god_is_good (683)
• Philippines
6 Jun 12
I agree with you that success is not always in terms of how much we have in our bank accounts. There are people who became successful in other areas of life without a lot of money. However, in these day and age, we cannot truly be successful in any area of life without money. As many authors would say, with money, many things are possible. It is how we view success that matters. I know that when you are happy and contented with what you have, then you are already successful, especially when you don't have money problems. May you have a great and wonderful day.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
Well said. Have a great day ahead as well and may you be successful in any endeavors you may have.
@else22 (4317)
• India
5 Jun 12
Agree 101%.Success is not about earning money.History tells us about persons who were poor,but about whom we read in books.They were not rich,but they had achieved something that's higher,nobler and greater than money.Some of them were writers,some were reformers,some were soldiers and some had laid their lives to restore the lost freedom of their country.In contrast,there are rich people who are always busy making money,but they are not happy.In my opinion,you are successful if you are happy and satisfied and you have the peace of mind.And this you can achieve only if you do your duty selflessly.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Thanks for reminding me that. A lot of people who really made history had all been successful in their own fields because of their own passion and the heart they have put into their own life's mission. I just hope that people nowadays can be reminded of that and not be blinded of the fast paced life that involves money and businesses and all those material things that we are all living in at the moment.
@doc_holiday (35)
• United States
6 Jun 12
you are so right. After all, if you think about it, success is merely doing, being, and experiencing the things you want before you die. That is something that may or may not require much money. Some people do not seem to see the big picture or to think for themselves. They should ask themselves more questions.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
Correct! I like what you said about your definition of success. -doing, being, and experiencing things you want before you die. This makes me think of the movie bucket list and having to do things that scare you and go to such over the top adventures you've never thought to be possible.
@renzonation (254)
• Philippines
6 Jun 12
yeah, youre right it is not just your money and the things what you we have right now.. it is the accomplishment that we have done for our lives..and this is not be in able to happen without the guide of our GOD.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
You seem to be a religious person. Our accomplishments should be guided in such a way that it pleases our creator.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
5 Jun 12
I don't like people who seem to think that the only thing worth worrying about in life is whether you have money or not. There are so many things that are more important than money, but this is something that most people seem to forget in life. I would always try to make sure that I was happy, and this is the only thing that really matters. Of course you have to make sure that you have the amount of money that you need to live, but that is no reason to believe that you have to have endless amounts of money to be able to call yourself successful.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
I totally agree with you. I just hope that people would remember that money isn't what really makes you happy or successful and that there are far better things to think about when considering your success. Thanks for that insight.
@mobhomeir (7558)
• Philippines
26 Jun 12
The blessings you would get here on our place and to some other places is just the same blessings. If I am already contented with my job and compensation here why would I go abroad? Yes, maybe you will got more there but will you not consider your family being left behind? What about the upbringing of the children left? I guess there are many things to be considered before leaving behind our family just for the cause of bigger compensation.
Like you, in my case, I would have been rich today should I was tempted before in going abroad before.
Honestly I am still seeking a little more of my source of living but I never think of going abroad because I am optimistic that I can get it here someday somehow in legal means.
Nice topic my friend...Keep it up.
Mobhomeir here
062612 0931hrs
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
You know what? It's actually one of the things I'm afraid of. I don't want to get old and look back like my life had been a joke, no achievements, no adventures, not as successful as I would have imagined it to be when I was younger. I don't want to be just a workaholic that's why for me, as long as I am happy and passionate with what I do and have some time for myself, my family and friends, then I know, I am getting to that kind of success I have always wanted to have.
@loveandpeace (470)
• Indonesia
5 Jun 12
Yes you're right, success wasn't only mean by what number in your bank account. For me, I'm success when I'm happy and can make my loved ones happy too. I recently quit my job, of course we're loosing money and my husband has to work harder, but I feel happier and successful by being a full house mom.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Good for you. Happiness and being surrounded by family are the things that really matter. Good luck to you!
@pjha1975 (214)
• India
5 Jun 12
Hi there..
I agree with u... Success is not only about money. Its a complete package. IN my opinion, success includes a fulfilling life, caring wife, adoring kid, a terrific WLB (Work-Life Balance) as far my profession is concerned as well as the opportunity to learn & grow as an individual. Money is there but its somewhere down at the bottom.
For instance, my current position in a Global IT Consulting Company - my salary package is not even near what other IT Consulting companies offer to people with my professional & educational background. But, what it does offer is development of my overall personality/individuality. It regularly gives raises however small. But then, the learning opportunities are endless. I consider my self pretty darn successful...
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
Good for you. I remember that phrase WLB as was lectured to us when our CEO visited us in the previous months. He talked about having to be productive by having Work-Life-Balance. I'm happy to hear that you find those learning opportunities to be way greater than what you earn and that's exactly what I mean. I don't' want to be stuck in a job where I may be earning much but won't be applying what I learned in college and not having to grow in terms of career aspects besides money. In other words, I don't want to be dumb when I retire. 
@swapmind (355)
• Australia
5 Jun 12
The ultimate success is your personal satisfaction,It cannot be evaluated one-dimensional merely in terms of monetary earnings.If you contented with the role you play at your work place,you find work environment pleasing,You can earn a substantial earning,you don't regret at the end of the for all that you have done at your work station,You carry your responsibility with pride,You are successful.But at the same time there is no harm in seeking better job opportunities in the same domain as it will give you better exposure and growth.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
7 Jun 12
There's no harm at all when it comes to seeking better job opportunities but hopping from one job to another within a year or so and never really getting to settle down and see what you really want is a total NO-NO for me. I do love to keep my options open and I'd like to think that being ready when it an opportunity knocks on your door would really bring great results and success in life.
