#Goals : The Meaning of Success

We were invited by senior high students for an interview regarding a project. My first opportunity to be interviewed was about two years ago when I was asked about “globalization.” I assumed this time it would be the same, except they told me we were going to be interviewed about “success.”

Bigla akong naubo.

Wow! Successful ba kami?

In our minds, we all have a picture of success. #goals. A big house, piles of money, great career, cars, gadgets, basically material wealth and fame.

For a minute I felt unqualified for the interview, nevertheless we agreed to meet the students.


The said students are studying in the STEM strand wherein our field of work is related to. (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.)

What is success?

Though we may have a general idea of what success is, we each have our own meaning of the term. I used to aim goals toward being financially and materially successful but those goals have changed over time.

There is nothing wrong striving to be able to enjoy a comfortable life. There is nothing wrong indulging in expensive things. What’s wrong is if you cut corners or wronged people along the way to achieve your ‘success.’

What success is not

Success is not equal to being rich. Not all rich people got rich using legal and moral means.

I remember people - posers - who think they are successful. One would berate a mailman for an honest mistake. One throws a tantrum when she can’t get what she wants. One, despite her accomplishments, indulges in gossip and backstabbing. One would easily unleash his road rage on a pedicab driver. Kaya hindi ako bilib sa lahat ng sosyal at mayaman. If this is what success looks like I don’t want to be successful.

Is it worth earning a high salary while compromising your health? Is it worth climbing the corporate ladder if it means sacrificing a relationship that makes you happy? Is success worth being away from your family for years? Is it worth being hated to be a boss?

My definition of success

To me success means being fulfilled and having the means to share that success to others. It means success doesn’t end with you. If you are instrumental in enabling others to reach their own success then you are successful in your own right. I don’t suggest carelessly giving away money to others. How about mentoring and sharing your advice? Do you encourage others to work harder for their goals?

Success is basically knowing what you want, how you can best achieve it within acceptable means, all while having a balanced life and influencing others positively. I am privileged to know a lot of people who are extremely successful and incredibly humble at the same time.

via GIPHY

I hope you meet them too.

I hope we become like them...

‘Yun ang totoong #goals.