TED Talk What Is YOUR Definition of Success

TED Talk What Is YOUR Definition of SuccessTED Talk What Is YOUR Definition of Success12In a July 2009 TED Talk called A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success, Alain de Botton suggests that these ideas of success and failure are assumed by some underlying judgments that do not paint a complete picture and cause undue anxiety about our careers. de Botton feels that we cannot be successful at everything and that any definition of success has to take into account what we are giving up to be successful.A writer and modern day philosopher, de Botton discusses these judgments in more detail. His witty and well-spoken delivery refers to how snobbery, envy, equality, and a sense of meritocracy all cause unnecessary career crises. He feels that while we lament the materialistic nature of our world, we are, in fact, more motivated by emotional rewards. In other words, when we display the material evidence of our success in life, it is because we are seeking the acceptance that others give us a s a result.As we talk about work-life balance, which de Botton calls nonsense, its important to be clear on what that means. Someone who strives for work-life balance should be cognizant of the fact that it doesnt mean you will be able to do everything. As a mother of two, I have a full-time, remote location, flexible schedule job. I still have to make choices, and my family understands that my awesome professional situation does not mean I am available for every field trip, lunch, and activity that comes up. I am able to choose the things that are fruchtwein important to us and can adjust my schedule around those events the vast majority of the time.No my friends, we cant have it all. But we can each define a personal sense of what makes us a success in our careers and in our lives. Work flexibility provides the opportunities for each of us to achieve our own work-life balance and find our own definition of success.Readers, whats your definition of success? How do you answer the qu estion, What do you do for a living?