DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS?

An American Express survey suggested that Americans define the nature of success differently than in years passed. Being in good health, finding time for the important things in life, having a good marriage/relationship, and knowing how to spend money well are part of the new definition, replacing material success signposts such as wealth and concrete achievement. Supporting this switch, “The Third Metric: Redefining Success Beyond Money and Power” conference spearheaded by Mika Brezezinski and Arianna Huffington, reinforced that our old definitions of success simply no longer work. “More, bigger, better—we can’t do that anymore,” said Huffington. In a commencement address she had driven this message home: “Right now, America’s workplace culture is practically fueled by stress, sleep deprivation and burnout.” Huffington's suggested solution: to create a movement that embraces the notion that physical and spiritual wellness are essential for a successful life. In support, she references the two nap-rooms available for Huffington Post employees. A 2^nd solution: to build workplaces that reward empathy and kindness. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if leaders incorporated such ideas into public policy, or at the very least, into all workplaces? 

            The Nonprofit Families and Work Institute cites six criteria necessary for an effective workplace: challenging and learning on the job, autonomy, work-life fit, support from a supervisor, a work climate of respect and trust and, of course, economic security.

See Alina Tugend, “A Budding Movement to Redefine the Successful Life,” The New York Times, June 15, 2013.