Success and How to Measure it

The definition of success:

Each person has their own idea of what equals great success.

I think it's a good idea to evaluate what your personal meaning of success is so that you know when you've reached it. Do you think I'm nuts? Think about it. We assess what kinds of goals we want to reach each year; why wouldn't we evaluate our ever changing thoughts and definitions of success. There are so many levels.

In writing, specifically, there are levels of success. For me, writing a completed novel this past November without abandoning it mid-way constituted success. It was when I felt able to call myself a writer.

Each step accomplished is a success for me because I am an instant gratification type of person. If I can't do it perfectly the first time, or shortly thereafter, I quit. It's horrible, I know....but sometimes you have to own your flaws. Due to my nature, I celebrate each small step as a success. I'm not going to hang myself out to dry and say that I'm only a success when I've hit the NY Times Best Seller list. That could take a very, very long time and with me being so impatient......I would set myself up for failure, rather than success.

However, I know others who operate in the exact opposite fashion. They will tell themselves they are nothing until published. That drives them to work harder, learn more, write faster and better and there they go-published before you know it! I'm just not that person. (I so wish I was.)

Have you ever considered what will make you feel successful in your writing? Are you honest and realistic with yourself about what you consider success to be?