“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
I want to forge my own path.
When I was young, I blindly accepted the definitions of success that others held. Success meant straight A's, prestigious institutions, high-paying jobs. For years I let those definitions determine the person I aspired to be.
I envisioned Harvard Business School as confirmation, a badge of success. Instead, these two years sparked an ironic realization: I want to stop seeking success as others define it, and instead navigate my own waters.
Going forward, I will determine for myself what living a successful life means.
Success will not be the number of dollars I make, but the number of my children's sporting teams I coach.
Success will not be the size of my network, but the liveliness of food, wine and laughter shared with loved ones.
Success will not be judged by my title or resume, but by the spontaneity of my family's weekend adventures.
Success will not be the prestige of my employer, but the enthusiasm and passion I bring to my work.
When my one wild ride concludes, I will look within to assess the successfulness of my life. I will look in the mirror to determine whether I am happy with what I see. I will revisit this Portrait to discern whether the path I have journeyed has been my own.
— Chris Chang