My Vision Of Success Is Much Different Than Yours

and that is perfectly fine

One of the worst parts of our society is that even though we praise all those who are different, we measure things like success and happiness on a very similar scale across the board. Almost as if to win this game of life we have to end up with the same credentials no matter what path it takes to get there.

Success is the one thing that we all seem to measure on a grand scale instead of individually. To be successful in our world you have to have two of these three things; money, fame, or status.

What if You Don’t Want These Things?

You aren't crazy, nor are you alone. I would much rather spend my days in a world where no one knows my name, where I can leap barefoot through the park with mud-covered boys in tow and no one will blink an eye. Why? To me, fame has just about as much to offer as any chronic mental illness and I would pass on the opportunity every day of the week.

In a world where people will literally wait in line for days to embarrass themselves on live TV for nothing more than 4 of their 15 minutes of fame, it is easy to feel like an outcast if you run from situations like that.

So what measures success and how do we hold on to our own success without losing sight of our personal goals?

Keep Your Vision Clear

Success has never been measured by anything but our own views, the problem is the views of many spoke louder than the view of a few. The only time that becomes a problem is when you aren't sure what you want, or if you are on a path to your success and others cloud your sunlight.

For example; my view of success was to be a published author, I wanted my words in front of the public eye and that way whoever may need them could find them. My view of success was just that, not to be known, not to be wildly famous nor to have a best-selling book, it was to have my words in front of the people who needed them.

The problem with that vision of success is that once you start down that road you meet a like of like-minded people who see success differently than you do. Suddenly, my name on a book didn't seem like such a big deal, and I found myself unhappy with my outcome even though it was never my goal, to begin with.

Never Negotiate Your Values

If you want to graduate from Havard Law, that is your dream and your vision of success, never let that waver. BUT if your view of success is to be a stay-at-home mom and grow a garden; DO IT. That success is no more or less important to anyone in the world except YOU. Yes, your children will survive and yes, you will still be a good parent either way, but you will never be successful on your terms.

Success to me is my name on a book, happy children, and staying at home and enjoying their early years while they are still here… a best-selling book and a huge house will not make those dreams come true, but they can help. All I am saying is that if you dream of a clean house, a bigger house isn't usually the answer. Same when it comes to your view of success; if you want a happy family with home-cooked meals every night, a chef might not be your answer, then again it might be.

Your Vision Of Success Will Change

Your kids will grow, your job will give you a promotion, and life, in general, will show you what's important to you. You don’t have to make that decision right now, that's the beauty of it. We call it chasing dreams for a reason, once you reach your vision of success when you are a grade-schooler; it will change.

Life throws everyone curb balls, if you had asked me 15 years ago where I would be today, it probably wouldn't be married in Ohio with 3 stepchildren and 2 kids of my own. A stay-at-home mom never seemed like a fit for me; until it was. Even in the beginning with my stepchildren, I wanted to be there for them every moment I could, work only played a small part in my view of success from that point on and that was only to help provide for my family.

We all had big dreams, just because those things changed doesn't mean you have to give them up. I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was a little girl. For a lot of various reasons, my schooling never went past high school; now I run one of the biggest exotic pet services and rescues in Ohio. My dream was still achievable even though it was more flexible and even though I had given up on it a few times.

You Are Your Biggest Asset

Have faith in yourself! You have to, no one else even knows your dream, much less can they help you achieve it. Use your power, knowledge, and drive to keep moving forward.

Julia Child published her first cookbook at age 50.

Vera Wang didn't enter the fashion industry till she was 40.

Harry Bernstein (Writer) had countless rejected books before his first hit at age 96!

Stan Lee was 38 when he created his first comic (Fantastic Four) that went big.

Gary Heavin was 40 when he opened the first Curves (fitness center).

Betty White joined the cast of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1973 at age 51.

I can keep going. There is no age requirement for success, and your success will not match mine nor anyone else's.

To be successful doesn't mean to be rich or famous, it is about following YOUR dreams, YOUR happiness, and YOUR heart.

As always, thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey!

-Un-Traditional Mother