Interview Floats

Caleb Eriksen: Do you consider yourself successful? Why?
Brian Lutter: I would like to consider myself fairly successful because of graduating college on time and then also getting a good job in finance at J.P. Morgan. However one of the most important things in life even over being wealthy or financially successful is happiness. Being happy and content with your life to me is more important than anything. If you are happy and content and live a positive lifestyle than everything seems to fall into place perfect and workout for the greater good. I try to live this way and am very happy with my life. That is why I consider myself successful.
CE: What is your personal definition of success?
BL: Many people measure success as “wealth” and financial income rather than happiness. My definition of success is the achievement of your goals, dreams and wishes. If you are not happy how could your life be successful? Happiness and being content with life is in my opinion the most important thing in life. Many very "successful" people are miserable and not content with their lives. How are these people successful in life if they are not even happy with it?
CE: When did you first consider yourself successful?
BL: I first considered myself successful once I realized that being successful in life is deeper than just making a lot of money and having a big house, like I explained above. I realized that I was already successful so far because of the way I was living life and because I was happy. Now I’m graduated and I have a good job but that came after I realized being happy was more important to be successful.
CE: If you could change any part of your journey, would you?
BL: The only thing I might possibly change is where I went to school. But I am extremely happy with where I am now and content so I would not want to change much.
CE: Where does your ambition derive from?
BL: I get my ambition from my want to succeed. I want to be happy and live a positive life and I know if I live with perseverance and work hard I will accomplish this.
CE: Are you living the dream you always wanted?
BL: Well when I was a young kid I always wanted to be in the MLB. But then once I realized that I was not nearly good enough or athletic enough to be great in any sport. So then I realized I wanted to go to college and get a good job. But even through my freshman year of college I did not know what I wanted to do after college for a job. After I took an economy class my freshman year I realized I had quite a talent in finance and decided that is what I wanted to study and get a job in. Now I have a good job in that area and am extremely content.
CE: What was your number one key to success?
BL: My number one key to success is happiness and living a positive life. If you live this way you just are always in a better mood and everything seems to work out for you. I thank god for guiding me in my journey and helping me to succeed and live a happy life.
CE: Who were/are your role models? Why?
BL: Michael Jordan is one of my biggest role models. The guy is just a winner and always seems to have a positive attitude. That's what I want in my life, to be happy and successful. There's a great quote from Jordan that goes, "I hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude." This is the way I strive to live my life.
CE: What is the proudest moment you have had getting to where you are today?
BL: My proudest moment so far in my life had to have been when I was hired for my current job. When I applied I realized it was a reach but decided why not just go for it, even though I didn't expect to get the job. However my boss when I was interview was very impressed with my positive attitude and really liked my interview so I surprisingly got the job and was very ecstatic to say the least.
CE: Do you have any future goals?
BL: Yeah I plan on having a family and want to be the best father and husband I could imagine. I just want to have a good influence on them so they can also be successful and happy with their lives. I want to create the best lives I possibly can for them.
CE: Thank you for taking the time and answering these questions.
BL: Oh you're welcome.