Everyone's definition of success is different but the more I look around the more I'm baffled by what appears to be success in other people's eyes.  It is also interesting to hear people's perceptions about the United States from individuals in other countries.  Sometimes they have seen so many movies and TV shows and think that everyone lives in picture perfect California suburbia.  It just isn't the case.  They also might think that everyone is rich here.  They also might think everyone is fat and loud here.  

Observations

I have noticed that if someone works for a Fortune 500 company in what is considered a "professional" position then people act like they are successful regardless of anything else.  They could be in extremely poor health and basically a walking heart attack waiting to happen but it is sort of like people feel that is what you should be doing.  

If you work with your hands and get dirty a lot of people act like you aren't successful.  My grandpa was an auto-mechanic for over 45 years.  He owned his own business and was able to go on vacations and provide for his family. Most people would consider that profession not successful here.  Americans have sort of fallen away from respecting physical work.  

People think that if you have a college degree you will be successful.  In a lot of ways many college graduates are so mired in debt that they could spend decades trying to pay it off.  Also a lot of college students are graduating with no actual skill.  They can't really do anything.  They can't fix a computer, they can't weld, they can't fix someone's leaky heart valve.  A lot of times they are upset that they aren't really able to get a position but it is so tough out there and if you can't solve someone's problem then there is probably no need for you in someone's organization.  

Success Scenario #1

A couple saved up and bought 50 acres in rural Ohio and put a trailer on the property.  They own the trailer and the land outright and have no mortgage.  The land is worth about $180,000. 

 

The couple have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am.  The car is now 20 years old.  The dome light went out, one speaker is blown, and it leaks oil and power steering fluid.  The couple own it outright and the car is worth about $2,000.  

Is this couple successful?   They are living in a trailer and driving an old car.  Is that ok?  

Success Scenario #2

A couple lives in a 3000 square foot house that is newly built.  They were able to get a 0% Down 30 Year Mortgage.  They "paid" $400,000 for the house but the market has slumped and it is only worth $345,000 and the couple still owes $390,000 on it.  

The couple just "bought" a new 2017 BMW 5 Series for $60,000.  They have a 7 year note on the car.  

Is this couple successful or are they just broke?  

Success Scenario #3

Our boy Jim here is an executive at IBM.  He drives a Lambo and lives in a mansion.  Everything is paid off. 

Jim is ballin out of control in this beast.  All paid off.  

Jim throws huge ragers at his mansion.  

Conclusion

A lot of times it is hard to know what is success and what isn't.  Often times I don't even know what success is anymore.  

What do you think?  

Who is more successful?  

I would really like to see what people from other countries think of these different success scenarios.  

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