To ask what you define as successful?

[Rosehip345]

What is it that makes you think someone else is successful or in what way would you see yourself as successful.

I’ve had a pretty difficult day today. I’m very aware that I’m viewed as not successful enough to have an opinion on anything. I just want to know why and what I need to change to at least be spoken to as an equal, or even better as someone to value the opinion of.

I'm successful in my eyes. I have a job I love and enough money to live on. I'm healthy and happy with all aspects of my life.

Someone who is content and likes themselves.

I would say it is simply being happy or at least being in the process of becoming happier

Someone who is completely sure and happy in themselves and has clear boundaries they aren't afraid to enforce.

I agree with this too

Personally I feel very grateful to consider myself successful.

I'm healthy, financially secure, good self esteem, lovely friends and loving husband. I feel very content and resilient to life's ineviable twists and turns.

Many people would likely say I'm not successful though, I don't have an impressive career or anything, or achieved anything of note but honestly I don't think anything else could make me feel more successful, I think it's up to you personally as everyone's opinion would be different!

Sorry you've had a difficult day OP.

I'm confused as to why you are equating being successful with being spoken to as an equal who is entitled to an opinion? Surely that's about basic respect, rather than success? Which we are all entitled to regardless of how we or anyone else judges our level of success.

Someone who is happy with their lot, and can cover the bills etc relatively comfortably.

I guess I'd probably think anyone who is generally happy and content with their life is somewhat successful.

I'm happily married. No debts. House paid for.

I've done alright, despite being one of those people that has never planned anything. That said, think "successful" needs more than that.

@LucieStar
Yes you’re right it should be basic respect but even then it’s still noticeable.

Like many have said I am (usually) very happy with my lot, and I feel very content, however I am often looked down on and whereas it is usually like water off a ducks back, it has grated today.

I would generally see successful as someone who has achieved what they want to achieve.

I think being successful is meeting one's own goals.

Mine was to have children and bring them up the best way I could. I feel that I am successful. My husband has reached the pinnacle of his career, I see him as successful as that was so important to him.

[quote Rosehip345]@LucieStar
Yes you’re right it should be basic respect but even then it’s still noticeable.

Like many have said I am (usually) very happy with my lot, and I feel very content, however I am often looked down on and whereas it is usually like water off a ducks back, it has grated today.[/quote]
Sorry to hear that OP. I think those who look down on people and don’t see them as successful etc for one reason or another usually have a very specific image of what they consider success. Some people think you need lots of money, a fancy car and a bottle of champers on ice at a moment’s notice - but as others have said, it’s not that specific.

Regardless, anyone who looks down on you has the problem - not you.

I have never felt looked down upon. It could be upbringing rather than "'success".

Someone who is happy.

If you’re a lawyer or a doctor but you’re miserable, you’re not successful in life; a career does not define success.

Someone who is confident, happy, who love themselves truly and who can then give to others. Someone who is generous with their time and treat others. Someone who has their shit together, resilient. And someone who especially gets up after they fall down, every single time, upbeat and optimistic.

And I'm someone who is financially secure and earn six figures. To me, I don't see money as success. To me, someone who has strived for their goals and achieved it. Doesn't matter what ££ that equates to.

Having a job, own home, no debt and able to financially support ourselves. A sharp contrast to my childhood.

Successful = solvent, happy family, friends, and generally content.

Also being a good person. Lots of 'successful' people are dreadful human beings.

Being successful and being disrespected are different things.

I agree with that being happy in yourself is the key to being a successful person. As a PP said, you could have a successful career, but be miserable, full of self-loathing, etc. That would be horrible.

I don't know that achieving everything you want to achieve is necessarily key to success, because alot of people don't manage this, but are still successful, happy people, IYSWIM.

Success is subjective like beauty.

Sounds like you’ve spent a day amongst arseholes though OP. Try not to worry about what pretentious idiots think; they’re just not worth it. What was the context?

Happiness is success!

I think if you are happy in your general life you are successful, you can slave away at all kinds of jobs have loads of respect for your abilities from friend's and acquaintances, a pot of money in the bank but still feel unhappy or incomplete and searching for something more then you are not successful
Perhaps you need better friends and acquaintances who respect and like you for who you are