How Your Definition of Success Has Changed Over Time & What It Means To You

This month’s question was intentionally chosen with growth and more reflection in mind. Based on the thoughtful and candid responses from our colleagues, one clear theme emerged: The definition of success is not a fixed destination, but an ever-evolving concept that changes as we grow throughout our lives.

As we move through the different seasons of life, gain new experiences and encounter both challenges and achievements, our priorities will naturally shift.

With that growth comes a redefinition of what success looks like to each of us. This evolution is not only inevitable, but healthy, reflecting greater self-awareness, maturity and alignment with what truly matters at each stage of our lives.

In this column, adopted from the familiar “Heard on the Street” format, we offer our responders a chance to answer the question posed in the title. These are their replies, reported verbatim. Enjoy!

Success Personally Defined

The meaning of success has changed a few times in my life. Some of my accomplishments I consider successful. Being the first in my family to graduate from college, raising a family, earning a master’s degree and enjoying a good career are some of them. As I grow older with more life experience, my idea of success has become something else. Success to me is doing everything I can do to be a good person and good at business. I am blessed to have an amazing family and friends — people I can count on and be a positive influence in their lives. In my music journey, my goal is to make people feel good when I perform. In my career, I have created lifelong friendships and have gained respect from so many people. To me, that is more important than anything else.

Ed Varney
Topline Management
McKinney, Texas

Success to me is setting my mind to something and seeing it through. Over time, my definition of success has evolved, sometimes changing by the minute! On some days, success is staying calm with my teenage kid. On other days, it might involve tackling a larger project that takes multiple days to complete. And then there are those particularly challenging days where success might simply be folding laundry. The key, I believe, is not to be too hard on ourselves. We’re all human, trying our best, and some days’ best might look a little different.

Abby Thurston
Rural Computer Consultants
Bird Island, Minnesota

I measure success by asking myself a simple question: Would a younger version of me be proud of this? As I’ve gotten older and achieved more, my definition of success has evolved. I tend to raise the bar quickly and move on to the next goal without fully celebrating the milestone I just reached. That’s why I try to slow down and reflect, imagining how excited my younger self would be to hear about where I am today. I also measure success by the happiness of the people who matter most to me, including my husband, my kids, my colleagues and our customers. If they’re doing well, that feels like real success to me.

Staci Rammel
Woodruff Energy
Bridgeton, New Jersey

I remember reading a motivational poster that had an impact on me. I don’t remember the exact words, but basically it said that success is not about money, it is about the difference you make in other people’s lives. In my younger days it was about money in the bank, the house I lived in, the vacations I took or the promotions at work. As I have gotten older, success to me is being kind to people and staying happy every day.

Steve Abbate
Cetane Associates
Kent, Connecticut

My idea of success would be in my children and grandchildren. We are growing up in very difficult times where everything you do and say is judged. If when I’m gone, and the Lord takes me home, I want to know that my children can stand on their own, support themselves and be strong enough to support their views. If they are a success in life, then my life has been a success.

Judy Taranovich
Proctor Gas Inc.
Proctor, Vermont

Professional Success Defined

My opinion of success has certainly changed over time. Early on in my career, promotions and financial gains were certainly at the top of the list as a measure of success. I would say once I got to my 50s, that changed, and family and happiness — doing what I was doing — became more important than those previous items. Things have turned out well, but that’s probably more because my wife kept the family together and on a good path, while I was chasing something not as important. Would I do things differently? Yes, but am still fortunate that things worked out the way they have. I think as we get older, maybe we become wiser or maybe it’s just learning from our mistakes, but I certainly wish I knew what I know now earlier in my career.

Tom Krupa
NGL Supply Terminals Co.
Richmond, Virginia

Success is a Journey

As we continue to grow and evolve across our professional, personal and financial lives, it becomes increasingly important to recognize that the way we define and measure success evolves right alongside us. Success is not a static milestone to be reached once and left behind; rather, it is a dynamic and ongoing pursuit that shifts as we navigate life’s inevitable highs and lows. When we allow ourselves to view success as an ever-changing goal, one shaped by experience, perspective and growth, we open the door to countless opportunities to succeed in meaningful ways along the journey.

As we move further into 2026, many of us are setting intentions and goals aimed at improving our lives, strengthening our circumstances, supporting our families and becoming the best versions of ourselves. By resisting the urge to lock ourselves into a single, rigid definition of what success must look like, we give ourselves the freedom to recognize and celebrate progress in all its forms. In doing so, we not only continue to achieve success, but also learn to enjoy life as it unfolds.

By staying present in the moment while remaining open to what lies ahead, we position ourselves to fully and successfully embrace all that life has to offer.