How do you define "success"?

[PenguinBollard]

OH spent the day yesterday with a group of new friends having a games day.
He reflected afterwards that he was the "least successful person in the room".
The three others were a Business Consultant (with a PhD in Mathematics), a Forensic Scientist and an entrepreneur whose IT business currently employs about 40 odd people.
OH works part-time, for me, in one of my small businesses - its a Jack-of-all-trades role, but is predominantly admin.

We had a whole conversation about it (mainly focused on making sure OH wasn't feeling inferior) but it started me wondering - success is clearly subjective, and I'm not sure I fully know how I'd personally define it.

So...how do you define success?

Is the Doctor of Mathematics more successful than the part-time administrator?

ps. I know there's no clear AIBU sorry

The balance of your relationship (you having multiple companies, him working part time for you) would mean he'd need to be incredibly confident to say to those other people he's content and successful.

I'd say success is knowing you could have more but choose where you are

Comfort, happiness and feeling well

the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.

Oops posted too soon.
Copied from dictionary.com. Think it sums it up, in an area of your life.

In my 20's & 30's, "success" equated to ambition, career growth & money.

Now, in my late 40's, "success" is health, happiness & work/life balance but that's due to ageing and having achieved a certain degree of financial security already due to the focus on career progression in the 20 yrs leading up to this point.

Now, DH & I are " settling" - we no longer have the inclination to uproot our lives for a promotion/more money/less family time. In fact, DH has turned down a major promotion because it involved a move stateside. Ironic, because at 50, he's definitely at the retirement planning stage and made the conscious decision to renounce his US passport (dual national). This is the first time we have dismissed such a major opportunity. DC1 is in Y11 - enough said. There may well be repercussions jobwise but what will be, will be. (Pre DC reaching secondary age, we would have snatched the offer!)

Financial security. A job that fulfils your potential. Strong friendships and relationships If you want them

Do we even need to be successful? Does it matter?

I would say it’s a bit of both, there’s no point in having all the riches in the world if you are not happy.
I think it’s having a job/career that makes you happy and provides what you need financially etc
Having a good work/life balance
Successful relationships professional and personal
Feeling emotionally and financially secure.

I feel successful. I have a job that doesn't stress me out, I have the option to train further but that would add stress for not much more money, it's flexible, and I love the actual work.
I have a loving partner who would do anything for me, and a gorgeous baby who lights up every single day.
We also don't struggle for money, I can buy something if i want to without worrying about bills (not big ticket items but a takeaway or a new kettle or a new dining set).
My mental health is shit but that's because I've had a tough past and going through some family issues, but despite this I still feel I'm doing well in life.
However, I agree your husband meant career wise and so yes he is less successful if he wants to be a big earner with a challenging job rather than pt admin.

Success is never giving up on whatever life throws at you and being humble for everything you have !!!! I dont have much but i have everything i need i am not rich but we all have our health , a roof over our head and love THATS A SUCCESS ON ITS OWN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE BIGGEST WEALTH YOU WILL EVER HAVE !!! Nice to see that most people have commented on happiness with family exactly that !!

My favourite line from a film describing the main character. 'he is a failure at everything except life '. That to me is success and agree with pps that love and security far more important than job title.

My dad once said to me 'I always thought you'd be my most successful child'.......

How does one measure success? I have a low level job in retail, nice house, car, two healthy beautiful children, long term relationship with their father.
My siblings are mentally unhappy, alone, pretty lost in the world and one is a nasty nasty person. But because one is at uni and the other is highly paid they're seen as more successful in his eyes.
I believe I am living a successful life. Albeit with debt and my career is on hold for a couple of years.
Meh.

Success is being happy in life, self actualisation.
Not having to dance to the tune of someone else.
Being your own person, not a product of capitalism and consumerism.
Coming and going as you please, freedom to live your life how you feel fit, (within the law)
Happy marriage and children.
Contentment, not needing more and more.

It's not about money, position, belongings, career, size of house, type of car.

Status is such a weird construct.
On a social level people can get so hung up on comparing themselves to others.
I was once stuck in an abusive relationship while climbing the career ladder... On the outside I looked successful. Smart clothes, new house, new car etc. But I was dead inside.
I now look really scruffy, live alone, and have never been happier.
So long as you're comparing yourself to others, someone else can be more successful than you.
I prefer to compare myself to myself.
I want to be happier and more secure than I was in the past.

Currently very pregnant so my definition of success right now is being able to do a poo.

Beyond that, success isn’t a line; it’s a feeling. It’s feeling comfortable and happy in your situation whether you are rich or poor.

Are you a better person today than you were yesterday?

I produced a joyous, beautiful, inquisitive and funny child, he was my joy. That's success to me, but I would have loved him no matter what (he's passed on, but I have the love we shared).