Defining Success ... Accurately

Is it what we were raised to believe? For many millennials and Gen Z-ers, the definition of success has changed drastically over the last five to 10 years. Status symbols, like brick McMansions in the suburbs and new cars, have been replaced by live-in vans and remote work. The generations of today consider time and freedom currencies equal in value (or higher) to the dollar. Is this mentality extreme? Will the pendulum swing too far? Perhaps. In the meantime, there’s some wisdom to garner here.

Here’s success defined, according to Covalenteers:

1. Are your basic human needs met? Food, water, shelter?
2. Did you do your best today? (Remember, your best changes day-to-day and sometimes hour-to-hour.)
3. Are you setting small goals and accomplishing them? Sometimes, transferring the laundry or clearing your email inbox are victories in and of themselves.
4. Do you have a roof over your head? No, you don’t have to be building equity to answer ‘yes’ to this question.
5. Does your work bring you a level of fulfillment? (P.S. In case you haven’t heard, it’s ok if your job isn’t your passion.)
6. Do you have hobbies and do you make time for them each week?
7. What about self-care? We mean this in the least buzz-wordy way possible. Are you putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting others?
8. Are you doing something that scares you every now and then? This doesn’t have to be base jumping, although, you do you. This can be having a difficult conversation or making that doctor's appointment you’ve been putting off.
9. Have you celebrated the small victories this month? You went for a run! You had a breakthrough with a client! Screentime is down 4%!
10. Are you giving love/joy/compassion and accepting it in return? We saved the hardest for last.

No matter how you evaluate success, it isn’t easy. But we believe you’re doing better than you realize. Run through this checklist to recalibrate your perspective every now and then!