I like this topic because it is so different for different people.
For me, success started by deciding not to follow the herd. At several times in my life, I took paths that others would rarely consider conventional to expand my horizons. I took several gap years in my career to travel, make music and finally to retire early. I have enjoyed taking calculated risks and my life is far better as a result. This definition of success was something I felt early in life, long before I had any financial success.
I started to feel most successful when I was able to help others advance their careers and lives in meaningful ways. As a manager who didn't fit the typical mold in my Fortune 50 company, I enjoyed growing my people into higher positions and inspiring their careers. I know for certain I was able to help several members of my teams to make huge leaps and bounds in their careers through coaching and encouragement, and that was by far the most satisfying thing I've ever done. I knew that I wasn't only improving their lives, but also the lives of their wives, children and families. I considered it a huge privilege of my position.
Lately in retirement, I have begun to reconnect with old musical friends and play in different bands. The success I have enjoyed recently is the ability to rekindle these old relationships after many years and to fit right back into the creative process like nothing ever changed, with great musicians who never stopped making music. The ability to show up and play a three-hour show on a day's notice is a skill I didn't know I had, and it feels great - like I've reached a skill level I didn't know I could. It's one of the good things about getting older...
And finally, who can say that early retirement doesn't make you feel successful? When I see my peers still tied up in the rat race, and consider my freedom, I feel amazing. I know that our retirement is the result of a lot of hard work and sacrifice and I am more than proud, I am truly grateful to be able to have the day for myself.
Life is good!