How do you measure success?

How do you measure success?

By Joe Renna

The measure of a successful life is relevant to the value system of the individual. The degree of success diminishes when top priorities are compromised for those that are subordinate. Allowing success to be defined by anything other than one's own conscience is to be a miserable failure. So, "To thine own self be true."

No words speak so distinctly to the subject of self-evaluation than these written by Shakespeare, for the ultimate judge of one's own success is himself. Determining degrees of success in functional operations is simple, for there is but a single criterion which is defined by the purpose of the activity. For example, a financial investment can be measured by its rate of return, or the total number of wins one sports team has compared to the rest of the league. Every function in society is judged. Survival is reliant on the success of the fittest, and so, too, life is judged for fitness. The common good thrives through those who are righteous.

A person's value system is developed throughout childhood and is fine tuned in maturity. The cultural, societal and spiritual mores that a person grows up with are embedded in the psyche. Through these customs, a code of ethics is adopted and a moral barometer is devised. These are the tools used in making value decisions. Decisions that define who a person is, the content of their character and their contribution to society. Being true to thine own self means doing what is considered the right thing in one's heart of hearts. How successful a life is can be determined by how well a moral standard has been maintained.

The system for measuring personal success varies from one person to the next. Success specific to one aspect of life is weighed against all others. One may be successful in business but must ask, "At what cost did it come?" What was compromised to achieve that success? It is common to see the value of money rise above other aspects of life that were once held in high esteem. There is a deep list of ideals that must be considered when making choices. What should concern an individual the most is what that list is comprised of and in what order they appear. Family, friends, health, community, society, country, humanity, time, career, possessions, money, power, and the list goes on.

The judge is in the mirror. Each evening a verdict is passed. The judgment is sealed and though the defendant knows what is written inside, the envelope is seldom opened. Misery is the prison sentence for not being true to one's principles. Denial is the key that locks the door.
The most successful people are those who are one with God and neighbor. It is the standard taught in the Peterstown community where the golden rule is the preface to making every decision.

Achievements by Peterstown residents in business, politics, arts and sports have been well documented in this publication. But they are all considered superficial. Success in this community is measured by the purity of virtue and intangibles such as compassion, courage, generosity, honesty, honor, integrity, loyalty and respect.

Success shouldn't be measured by how much someone improves their own wealth but by how they improve the quality of life for others. Success by these standards may seem unobtainable to most people, but it came quite natural to the generations growing up in Peterstown. Which is why it may just be the richest place on earth.