Success means health and happiness to Indians; wealth not so much: LinkedIn survey

Health, wealth and happiness may be the ideal mantra for a successful life but a survey carried out by international research firm YouGov, commissioned by LinkedIn, a business- and employment-oriented service, has found that Indians define success as 'being happy' and 'healthy'.

According to the survey that was carried out in 16 countries, Indian professionals ranked third in feeling successful, just after UAE which bagged the top spot and Brazil, the second. Despite a competitive job economy and rising inflation, one in ten Indians (10 percent) feel optimistic about achieving success within one year - double than the global average, according to the findings of the survey.

LinkedIn said, when asked to choose from multiple options, 72 percent Indians chose 'being happy' as their ultimate definition of success, 65 percent chose good health and 57 percent picked healthy work-life balance as important indicators of success.

In terms of money, only 22 percent said they would perceive success as a 'rise in paycheck' and only 36 percent define success in terms of 'earning a six-figure salary'.

"The growing optimism in India’s macroeconomic environment shines through in the confidence Indian professionals feel towards achieving success," said Deepa Sapatnekar, Head of Communications for India, LinkedIn.

Over 1,000 individuals were surveyed in India, which found that Indians place social success over professional success. "Around 30 percent Indians think achieving social success is more important than achieving professional success, higher than the global average of 22 percent. Having good friends, getting the opportunity to travel, and finding time to cultivate new hobbies is how Indians recognise success today," LinkedIn said.

"While success means many different things to different people, it is heartening to see indicators like work-life balance, family time and health taking precedence over a six-figure salary,” Sapatnekar said.