I would like to claim ownership of the title of this blog, but if I did that I would be plagiarizing the very person who is known for the Character Counts program that educates more than six million kids about the importance of character and integrity, trustworthiness and good citizenship.  That person is Michael Josephson, the entertaining ethicist who is founder of the Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles where he also hosts a national radio show focused on--what else?--ethics and character.  Michael has been a guest in my grad class and we often show the video of his visit to students because it has such a powerful message.  Visit his site to learn more about the work of this incredible man.  With that introduction, let me explain what Michael Josephson meant by don't settle for success; go for significance.   

Everyone defines success differently, but how you measure success determines what kind of life you will lead and the quality of that life.  If success to you is a booming business, a big house, a fancy car, and lots of money, that's OK.  Lots of people measure their success that way, but the reality is once you have those things you realize that what you are really looking for is something much more than success.  It's significance--being meaningful in the world, making a difference.  The most successful business in the world as measured by revenues can't make you feel significant if what that business does demeans people (the adult film industry) or destroys lives (Bernie Madoff).  Having a huge home and an exotic car may be signs of one kind of success, but if you had to work day and night to get there and didn't have time to spend with the people who care about you, you missed a chance to be significant in the lives of those people.

So as you plan that business you want to start, you will have to think about how to make money, but also spend time thinking about how to make meaning--how to create a life that balances entrepreneurship and time with the people who matter to you.  I will borrow some more words from Michael Josephson that are a constant reminder to me of how important it is to strive for significance.  When you look back on your life  "What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone..Choose to live a life that matters."