Guest post by Anna Dworaczynska (learn more about Anna at the end of this post)

Is success solely measured upon our business achievements? Are those of us who aren’t CEOs, entrepreneurs or holding other senior-level successful positions, deemed to become unsuccessful?

Elizabeth Smith, the former president of Avon Products, has recently moved to another company. Her moved was commented as a ‘career suicide’ by the media.  This made me realize whether we are only successful as long as we climb a corporate ladder, until we reached the top? Is participating in the ‘rat race’ the only way forward?

I have recently moved to Moscow for few months, leaving my previous position as a Chief Editor. My move was widely criticized too, but it did not stop me from leaving my ‘comfort zone’ to see if I could succeed in another company. Although living and working in Moscow is challenging as the culture and values here are different from what I am accustomed to in Europe, I would not say that I am not developing my career or personal potential, while I am not climbing the ladder at the moment.

Is someone who makes a conscious decision to pursue a full time career as a parent at home, not deserving of respect anymore? Has the definition of success became a very narrow concept?

This leads me to question — from what perspective should we measure success? Should we measure it at all, if so how?

About the Author

Anna Dworaczynska is a Polish freelance journalist and editor currently on a short term contract in Moscow, Russia teaching English. She can be reached at ania.dworaczynska@gmail.com.