Six Types of Success

Recently I've been doing some thinking about the topic of success and fulfillment, and it occurred to me that there are basically six unique ways of viewing success. Each person probably cannot fit into one neat category, rather we will each be a blend of a few of them. yet it is interesting to see which is closest to your worldview.

Here are the six types of success, as I see them:

1) Puritan – work as hard as possible to prove yourself as ‘worthy’.

People who follow the puritan mindest were often raised in an environment where they had to continually prove themselves, or had to keep living up to certain standards.

2) Materialistic – gain as much luxury and status as possible.

A vast majority of people in Western society become 'sold' on the material view of success very early in life. Media and society seems to promote and almost worship those individuals who have a great deal of money or possessions.

3) Power – gain as much control as possible.

Similar to the material view, the power view wants to control and be the person who chooses. Of course, we are all completely free to choose how we live, yet some people view gaining power/control over others, such as in a managers role at work.

4) Spiritual – detach from the ‘temptations’ of life and transcend the present.

Some people choose to reverse the material/power view of the world and go for a more pious view of life. They choose to resist or withdraw their desires for material gratification, instead choosing to be connected to rewards in the spiritual realm.

5) Contributor – create a better world for other people and future generations.

Those people who feel a drive to contribute to the world are the ones who tend to really make a difference. It doesnt have to be on a world scale, it can simply be the desire to help people through their everyday struggles. For some people, being able to give back is the most rewarding way to live.

6) Escapist – have as much fun and as many peak experiences as possible.

Finally, there are those that believe that life is simply one big experience; our time on earth is meant to lived to the fullest and we are meant to 'live deep and suck out all the marrow of life', as Thoreu famously espoused. These types of people are always searching for fun, for experience and for the next thing to get them excited.

Which of the six is closest to your view of the world? What factors have influenced you to take on your current lifestyle? These are important things to think about, as the way you view success will greatly affect how much you actually achieve, and whether the things you achieve are actually worthwhile for you.