How Do You Measure Success?

The three founders of GBH London discuss what it truly means to be successful in a ‘cannibalistic’ industry.

Success. What the hell is that? Is it about money? Is it a state of mind? A zen-like tranquillity, born of rock solid self-confidence? Is it a shelf full of semi-precious metal from our peers? Is it fame, notoriety, early retirement? Or is it that deep sense of personal satisfaction that only comes from sitting under a broad oak tree at the end of a particularly hard day of manual labour, with an ice-cold beer and an achingly sore back?

Does it come from a moral satisfaction that we’ve mattered? That we’ve helped others, made a difference, done some good? Is it a body of work that’s stood the test of time, or is it a deep rooted desire to be a pioneer? Oscar or Nobel Peace prize? Fame or notoriety? Your money or your life?

A creative person’s quest for satisfaction never, ever stops. On and on we go, relentless in the pursuit of perfection. ‘I want it to work, to be the best thing I’ve ever done, to be the best anyone’s ever done. I want to do it again, only better. I want to make a dent, I want to be the greatest designer/art director/ painter/photographer/ad-man of all time.’ Jeez. We need to get over ourselves.