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When do you know you've accomplished something?
In life their ae many challenges and different things to do to where, its hard to know when to settle down. is there a sign that shows you've done it?
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6 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
744
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
John Wooden once gave a very eloquent definition of success, which I believe applies to this scenario. He stated that:
"Success, is peace of mind, which is a result of self satisfaction in knowing you did the best, to become the best, that you are capable."
He also stated that only you will be able to determine if you have reached this objective in life. No one else can.
So, you must do some self reflection, to see if you made your best effort, to be the best you are capable. This will help you to achieve real success.
"Success, is peace of mind, which is a result of self satisfaction in knowing you did the best, to become the best, that you are capable."
He also stated that only you will be able to determine if you have reached this objective in life. No one else can.
So, you must do some self reflection, to see if you made your best effort, to be the best you are capable. This will help you to achieve real success.
Updated
Ken’s Answer
Hi Ken,
I think it may be related to two parts:
- external criteria
- self-satisfaction
When you are working at a company, all the assignments usually have objectives and success criteria, associated with a certain performance metrics. So you will know.
Regarding your self-satisfaction, this is about your career plan. When you reach a certain milestone, you checked an accomplishment.
Best,
Ken
I think it may be related to two parts:
- external criteria
- self-satisfaction
When you are working at a company, all the assignments usually have objectives and success criteria, associated with a certain performance metrics. So you will know.
Regarding your self-satisfaction, this is about your career plan. When you reach a certain milestone, you checked an accomplishment.
Best,
Ken
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Ken,
Understanding the significance of setting precise goals is crucial. It's essential to periodically reassess them, making adjustments as required. If you declare, "I aim to succeed," without clarifying what "success" means to you, it becomes impossible to gauge whether you've attained it.
Consider this: if your goal is to "Complete a 4-year college degree without any debt," the finish line is four years away. Imagine halfway through, you find a need for a car and decide to finance a used one for four years. This means you'll still be making payments two years after graduation. In this case, you can either redefine your goal or strategize to settle the car loan earlier.
Additionally, it's beneficial to have smaller, achievable objectives that contribute to your larger goal.
For instance, if your goal is to "Be married by 28," you can set sub-goals like "Go on at least 2 dates a month" or "Join the singles group at my church."
Personally, I didn't experience the exhilaration of accomplishment until two years post-retirement from my second career. That's when I spearheaded a community project, which, after being put to a vote, received an overwhelming 85% approval from city residents. After investing 14 months into the project, the reward was immense. It ensured that many who were financially struggling would not face further city tax increases. The impact it had on so many lives made it extraordinarily special!
For young individuals grappling with family issues, graduating high school might be a significant achievement. Remember, what's meaningful varies from person to person, and no one else can dictate what should matter to you!
Indeed, a great question!
Understanding the significance of setting precise goals is crucial. It's essential to periodically reassess them, making adjustments as required. If you declare, "I aim to succeed," without clarifying what "success" means to you, it becomes impossible to gauge whether you've attained it.
Consider this: if your goal is to "Complete a 4-year college degree without any debt," the finish line is four years away. Imagine halfway through, you find a need for a car and decide to finance a used one for four years. This means you'll still be making payments two years after graduation. In this case, you can either redefine your goal or strategize to settle the car loan earlier.
Additionally, it's beneficial to have smaller, achievable objectives that contribute to your larger goal.
For instance, if your goal is to "Be married by 28," you can set sub-goals like "Go on at least 2 dates a month" or "Join the singles group at my church."
Personally, I didn't experience the exhilaration of accomplishment until two years post-retirement from my second career. That's when I spearheaded a community project, which, after being put to a vote, received an overwhelming 85% approval from city residents. After investing 14 months into the project, the reward was immense. It ensured that many who were financially struggling would not face further city tax increases. The impact it had on so many lives made it extraordinarily special!
For young individuals grappling with family issues, graduating high school might be a significant achievement. Remember, what's meaningful varies from person to person, and no one else can dictate what should matter to you!
Indeed, a great question!
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Ken
This is an interesting question that I really had to think about. I am going with the idea that an accomplishment is a goal that has been successfully achieved.
I think it depends; there are short term and long term accomplishments. Often one accomplishment is part of a bigger accomplishment. Such as getting to school on time each day and getting an A in a science class in high school are both accomplishments, but they also can be seen as part of the the larger accomplishment of graduating from high school, which in itself will be part of the larger accomplishment of going to college and getting a job, which is all part of becoming an adult. So, one accomplishment often rolls into another one, so in a sense, you are never really settled. As a teenager or young adult, you will continue to develop your personality , your interests, your social life, your education, and your career skills as you mature, so this ongoing development it is a good thing. Reviewing your accomplishments and celebrating them as you go along is also a good thing to do, but don't stop setting goals for yourself.
In art, you are also always growing and developing your art skills and interests. Again, one accomplishment leads into another. Many of my students had goals of being able to draw human figures well, but when they accomplish that goal, should they just stop making art? No! They could take the accomplishment of drawing a figure and apply it to other artworks, such as maybe creating artworks with lots of human figures in it for example, and then improving their art skills in other areas and creating even more artworks. I have been making art for the past 50+ years, and I am still growing and setting goals for my artwork. I will never be settled.
I hope this helps. Best wishes!
This is an interesting question that I really had to think about. I am going with the idea that an accomplishment is a goal that has been successfully achieved.
I think it depends; there are short term and long term accomplishments. Often one accomplishment is part of a bigger accomplishment. Such as getting to school on time each day and getting an A in a science class in high school are both accomplishments, but they also can be seen as part of the the larger accomplishment of graduating from high school, which in itself will be part of the larger accomplishment of going to college and getting a job, which is all part of becoming an adult. So, one accomplishment often rolls into another one, so in a sense, you are never really settled. As a teenager or young adult, you will continue to develop your personality , your interests, your social life, your education, and your career skills as you mature, so this ongoing development it is a good thing. Reviewing your accomplishments and celebrating them as you go along is also a good thing to do, but don't stop setting goals for yourself.
In art, you are also always growing and developing your art skills and interests. Again, one accomplishment leads into another. Many of my students had goals of being able to draw human figures well, but when they accomplish that goal, should they just stop making art? No! They could take the accomplishment of drawing a figure and apply it to other artworks, such as maybe creating artworks with lots of human figures in it for example, and then improving their art skills in other areas and creating even more artworks. I have been making art for the past 50+ years, and I am still growing and setting goals for my artwork. I will never be settled.
I hope this helps. Best wishes!
Updated
Yvonne’s Answer
The idea of accomplishment is unique and personal, differing for each individual. Here are some indications that you've achieved something:
1. **Fulfillment:** You experience a feeling of satisfaction and contentment when you think about your hard work and successes.
2. **Target Success:** You've met the specific targets you laid out for yourself, be it in your profession, personal growth, relationships, or other life areas.
3. **Acknowledgement:** People recognize and value your hard work or success in a certain field.
4. **Personal Development:** You've matured, acquired new abilities, knowledge, or experiences, all adding to your feeling of accomplishment.
5. **Joy:** Your achievements bring you joy and a sense of purpose.
6. **Positive Influence:** You've positively affected your life or the lives of others.
Remember, accomplishment is more about the journey than the destination. It's perfectly fine to keep setting new targets and pushing your limits. What brings satisfaction and fulfillment can change as time passes, so it's crucial to frequently reassess your goals and dreams to discover your unique sense of accomplishment.
1. **Fulfillment:** You experience a feeling of satisfaction and contentment when you think about your hard work and successes.
2. **Target Success:** You've met the specific targets you laid out for yourself, be it in your profession, personal growth, relationships, or other life areas.
3. **Acknowledgement:** People recognize and value your hard work or success in a certain field.
4. **Personal Development:** You've matured, acquired new abilities, knowledge, or experiences, all adding to your feeling of accomplishment.
5. **Joy:** Your achievements bring you joy and a sense of purpose.
6. **Positive Influence:** You've positively affected your life or the lives of others.
Remember, accomplishment is more about the journey than the destination. It's perfectly fine to keep setting new targets and pushing your limits. What brings satisfaction and fulfillment can change as time passes, so it's crucial to frequently reassess your goals and dreams to discover your unique sense of accomplishment.
Updated
Indy’s Answer
Breaking your goals down into manageable, achievable chunks can be a game-changer. Start by pinpointing what you want to achieve, then devise a strategy to make it happen. Remember, only you can truly know when you've reached your goal; it's a deeply personal realization, akin to a sense of tranquility. There are countless ways to gauge success, from project completion and career progression, to accolades and research publication, customer contentment, and the mastery of new skills. These are merely a few examples. Don't forget, it's perfectly fine to adjust your goals as you journey forward, especially if you discover new aspirations. Keep your objectives realistic and within reach, creating a solid foundation to build upon as you progress.