There are basically six unique ways of viewing success.

Each person probably cannot fit neatly into one category, rather we will each be a blend of a few of them. Here are six types of success:

1. Puritan. Work as hard as possible to prove yourself as “worthy.” People who follow the puritan mindset were often raised in an environment where they had to continually prove themselves, or had to keep living up to certain standards. Each achievement adds more to their sense of worthiness, and there is always another goal once the current one is achieved.

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 “temptations” in 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 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 doesn’t 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. These people believe 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 Thoreaux famously espoused. These types of people are always searching for fun, for experience and for the next thing to get them excited.

Source: Daniel Midson-Short

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