--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your metric for the value “success by…" description: "\"“If your metric for the value “success by worldly standards” is “Buy a house and a nice car,” and you spend twenty years working your ass off to achiev..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/mark-manson-537_adult-life_if-your-metric-for-the-value-success-by_2534678.jpg" --- # If your metric for the value “success by worldly… ![“If your metric for the value “success by worldly standards” is “Buy a house and a nice car,” and you spend twenty years working your ass off to achieve it, once it’s achieved the metric has nothing left to give you. Then say hello to your midlife crisis, because the problem that drove you your…” quote by Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/mark-manson-537_adult-life_if-your-metric-for-the-value-success-by_2534678.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/mark-manson-537_adult-life_if-your-metric-for-the-value-success-by_2534678.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8c/mark-manson-537_adult-life_if-your-metric-for-the-value-success-by_2534678.jpg) > ““If your metric for the value “success by worldly standards” is “Buy a house and a nice car,” and you spend twenty years working your ass off to achieve it, once it’s achieved the metric has nothing left to give you. Then say hello to your midlife crisis, because the problem that drove you your entire adult life was just taken away from you.”” [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success measured by material possessions becomes hollow after achievement, leading to emptiness and a midlife crisis. **In simple terms:** Material success can feel empty after you get it. Key Takeaway Find purpose beyond possessions. Themes meaning purpose midlife materialism fulfillment Mood reflective contemplative Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - financial goals - personal relationships - retirement - life transitions Key Concepts Existentialism value systems psychology Questions to Reflect On - What would you pursue if money weren’t a goal? - How can you cultivate purpose before reaching milestones? A Different Perspective The quote assumes all people share the same values; some find meaning in achievement itself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adult life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adult-life/) [Midlife crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/midlife-crisis/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value/) ## Related quotes > [“If your metric for the value “success by worldly standards” is “Buy a house and a nice car,” and you spend twenty years working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/if-your-metric-for-the-value-success-by-worldly-standards-is-buy-a/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Failure and rejection are important. Otherwise, you won't value success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aparshakti-khurana/failure-and-rejection-are-important-otherwise-you-won-t-value-success/) [Aparshakti Khurana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aparshakti-khurana/) > [“Success is achieved when we add value to ourselves. Significance is when we add value to other. 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