A good reminder on the bplans blog: as you get going in your startup, doing the thinking, and doing the planning, take a time out to establish your definition of success. Massive unmitigated wealth? An independent life style? Doing what you love and getting paid for it?

There are many different measures. Do you care about finishing up early to coach the kids’ soccer team? Do you care about showing your class at business school at the next reunion.

The quote:

To someone who has never run a marathon before the definition of success may be to get across the finish line. To a seasoned competitive marathoner the definition may be to finish in under 2 hours, before any other competitor in the same age/gender bracket. Two VERY different measurements of success!

Tim BerryTim Berry

Tim Berry is the founder and chairman of Palo Alto Software and Bplans.com. Follow him on Twitter @Timberry.