Success is easy to define, Merriam-Webster describes it as “a favorable or desired outcome” and “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence,” but is it defined differently for men and women? Perhaps there are the stereotypical gender lines where women focus on the importance of relationships and feeling valued while men focus more on material success.

It turns out that women are broadening the definition of what it means to be successful and what it means to achieve great things in the world. The adaptation of success may also be a reflection of the fact that they still carry the bulk of the household and family responsibilities.

Are you one of those women that does it all and still feel inadequate? Why? Here are some thoughts as you define what success means to you personally:

• Understand the price you are paying for your definition of success.
• Have a clear goal and purpose, recognize that you cannot have it all.
• Decide what is most important, focus on it and get rid of the guilt.
• Be mindful that after every hill you climb, a new hill emerges.
• If all else fails, fake it until you make it.

So, what matters to you personally? Where do you want to be in a year? Two years? Five? How will you achieve your own definition of success? Write your thoughts down while having some much-deserved “me time.” What truly matters to you in your life today?

Here are some ways in which AgeEsteemers have defined success in their lives:

• Be in the moment, instead of constantly going, going, going.
• Realize that your contribution to the world is valued, if not by others, by you.
• Find a healthy balance between a loving home and a career you enjoy.
• Have people in your life who can always make you smile.
• Find the good in life’s imperfections.
• Be proud of yourself.

Let determination, vision and purpose be your superpower to success!

Maya Angelou had a way of expressing profound statements in simple language that we could easily understand. Age was not an issue for her. She liked herself, liked what she did and liked how she did it. She was highly successful in expressing her thoughts.

Maya Angelou was an excellent example and advocate for AgeEsteem. She was and remains a role model of a person aging with confidence, conviction and commitment. Her self-esteem and age-esteem manifested in all that she did and said. It was expressed in her humor, her poetry and her manner of living.

Success at every age is about loving yourself, enjoying what you do, and liking how you do it.

Bonnie Fatio

Babies and AgeEsteem

Celebrate Each Success

Celebrate each success: When Baby tries something new, even if she doesn’t succeed, you applaud her and celebrate.  You know that each new success builds on past efforts.  She begins to walk by trial and fall, and we cheer her each step of the way.

• Allow – and even encourage – yourself and others to test your abilities, make mistakes, and learn from them.
• Applaud errors as part of the learning process.
• Recognize and celebrate the smaller successes.  They are necessary building blocks to achieve your goals.

No, it’s never too early to model your own age-esteem for a child nor is  it ever too late to learn lessons of age-esteem from children!