Wednesday, October 16, 2013

How Do You Benchmark Your Success?

I thought about this when an old acquaintance contacted me and we began talking. We are both moms with jobs. I am a stay-at-home mom who writes, translates, and edits texts from English to Indonesian and vice versa. She works in an office, waiting for her promotion.

"You must be tired most of the time, staying at home. Not meeting many people. It's hard to measure your success. I feel sorry for you."

I didn't say anything then. She was entitled to her opinion. I felt a bit shaken actually. She felt sorry for me? 

Yes, I am tired most of the time. It goes with the territory. I have two young children, a house to manage, and a partner who helps me balance working and playing. True, I don't meet many people, but I have always been a loner. I am fine with that. I can still communicate with others using social medias or emails or phone calls or even texts. Occasionally, we make dates to meet to chat and  share some stories. 

But. I do meet many people. I meet them when I go out shopping at traditional markets or supermarkets, I interact with them. I meet people when I go to my children's school, during writing-related events, during my vacations. 

Is it hard to measure my success? I don't think so. I believe everyone has her own measurements. Mine is simple. Success is when I am happy, and I am confident that my family and close friends are happy, too. Success means being content in whatever I do. Success means living without regrets... well, almost without regrets, then. 

How do you benchmark your success?

1 comment:

Rina Suryakusuma said...

I like this, Donn
They don't have the right to judge, actually
As long as we are happy, right :)

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