How do you measure success? Is it by comparing your
achievements to the accomplishments of others, or against the
fulfilment of your own ambitions? And when it comes to judging
the success of others, it's probably pretty pointless using your own
aspirations as the standard by which to do so, because they simply
may not have been aiming at the same target - nor shooting the
same kind of arrows in order to hit whatever target
they were aiming for.
fulfilment of your own ambitions? And when it comes to judging
the success of others, it's probably pretty pointless using your own
aspirations as the standard by which to do so, because they simply
may not have been aiming at the same target - nor shooting the
same kind of arrows in order to hit whatever target
they were aiming for.
I once freelanced for IPC's top-selling boys title, 2000 A.D.
I had my name in print, people requesting my autograph, and -
best of all - money! Was I success? Well, in one way, yes - but in
another way, not really. I'd never had any particular ambition to
best of all - money! Was I success? Well, in one way, yes - but in
another way, not really. I'd never had any particular ambition to
work for 2000 A.D. per se, only to work in comics in some way.
The fact that I started my 15 year career on the most popular
adventure comic in the country was merely a bonus.
The fact that I started my 15 year career on the most popular
adventure comic in the country was merely a bonus.
Was I any more of a 'success' than the lad whose first job
was as a shelf-stacker in Sainsbury's and who then worked his
way up to the position of store manager? Well, no, not really. Is
he any more of a success than me? How do you measure it? It may
never have been his ambition to work in a supermarket, but it was
mine to work in comics - and I achieved that. (Interestingly, back
in 1988, MARVEL U.K. contacted me to offer me work - I
he any more of a success than me? How do you measure it? It may
never have been his ambition to work in a supermarket, but it was
mine to work in comics - and I achieved that. (Interestingly, back
in 1988, MARVEL U.K. contacted me to offer me work - I
never had to approach them. That's being a failure?)
If you're happy (or content) with your achievements in
life, then, in a very real sense, you're a success. Whether you're
a biscuit salesman or banker, if you've attained the goals you set
for yourself then that's an accomplishment. (Unless your ambition
was to be a failure - now there's an interesting paradox.) Remember,
you can't be said to have failed at something you've never tried (after
all, you've got to be in a race to win or lose it), so don't ever waste
a second paying heed to those smug, self-satisfied types who
regard their own personal career situation as some
kind of 'international standard'.
a biscuit salesman or banker, if you've attained the goals you set
for yourself then that's an accomplishment. (Unless your ambition
was to be a failure - now there's an interesting paradox.) Remember,
you can't be said to have failed at something you've never tried (after
all, you've got to be in a race to win or lose it), so don't ever waste
a second paying heed to those smug, self-satisfied types who
regard their own personal career situation as some
kind of 'international standard'.
Deep down inside, they're extremely insecure people who
need to feel that they've done better in life than anyone else
in order to feel good about themselves. Sad but true.
in order to feel good about themselves. Sad but true.
0 Yorumlar