NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, American Express released a new study on American views towards success: The American Express LifeTwist study. The study, conducted by the Futures Company, confirmed that most Americans believe success is no longer rooted in a sense of “arrival,” but defined primarily by the experiences they accumulate, detours they embrace and passions they pursue throughout their lifetime. The study dubbed the 52% of American consumers who most exemplify this new sentiment “LifeTwisters.”
View and Download: The LifeTwist Study
Supporting this change in sentiment, American Express launched today TV and online advertising to appeal to range of customers by showcasing the value that membership offers through a variety of products and services.
A Redefined Relationship Between Success and Wealth
Today, Americans say they define success by what they do more than by what they have. Dozens of the study’s findings reflect this notion of success, but perhaps none more starkly than the sentiment that Americans ranked “having a lot of money” 20th on the list of 22 contributors to having a successful life. Further, the rankings showed that the vast majority of Americans (81%) believe that knowing how to spend your money well is a far greater indicator of leading a successful life, than simply having money in the first place. In addition, the vast majority of Americans (72%) say they’d rather spend money on experiences than material things.
“American Express has been synonymous with success for much of our 163-year history,” said Josh Silverman, President Consumer Services, American Express. “Today, Americans say that feeling successful is driven less by the amount of money they earn, and more by having a job they love, rewarding relationships and contributing to their communities. Our products have changed over time to reflect these views, while continuing to stand for trust, security and service – which never goes out of style.”
Americans ranked their top contributors to leading a successful life:
- Being in good health (85%)
- Finding time for the important things in life (83%)
- Having a good marriage/relationship (81%)
- Knowing how to spend money well (81%)
- Having a good work/personal life balance (79%)
- Having a job you love (75%)
- Making time to pursue passions and interest (69%)
- Being physically fit (66%)
- Always trying to learn and do new things (65%)
- Embracing new experiences/changes (65%)
AMERICANS ARE EMBRACING LIFE’S TWISTS AND TURNS:
America is a country where people disagree on everything from pizza toppings to the designated hitter rule. Yet in one of the survey’s most telling findings, 95% of respondents – from all income levels, genders and age ranges – agree that the road to success is likely to involve detours and unexpected changes. In fact, an overwhelming 83% of Americans, including 79% of Boomers, still consider themselves to be “a work in progress.”
Today’s digital world has accelerated the rate of change, making it a more frequent and expected occurrence for a greater number of people. As a result, a majority of Americans say they are willing to take any number of roads less traveled to achieve their goals. When consumers were asked about their life paths, the most heavily populated group (52%) was composed of “LifeTwisters” – those who have a distinct life path in mind but are open to occasionally veering off that path to embrace the changes life throws their way.
Closely related to LifeTwisters, “Reinventionists” made up an additional 11% of Americans. This group is much more proactive than LifeTwisters in precipitating change -- with the specific goal of reinventing themselves again and again.
DESIGNING A LIFE WELL LIVED:
Today, 58% of Americans say they’re more willing to try new things now than they were five years ago. When asked why, 55% said they have a better understanding today of what makes them feel fulfilled, while 43% said they desired more variety in their lives.
In pursuit of novelty and trying new things, many Americans have a ‘Bucket List’ of accomplishments they would like to achieve. The top five “Bucket List” items include:
- Traveling to new places (88%)
- Having children (76%)
- Pursuing passions as a hobby or career (75%)
- Volunteering time for a cause you believe in (70%)
- Doing something with your hands (60%)
A majority of Americans (57%) still have aspirations to become rich, but when prioritized among items like the opportunity to travel and having a rewarding family life, it ranked #8 on America’s bucket list – right below learning how to be a better cook.
The American Express LifeTwist Study Methodology research was completed online among a random sample of 2,184 U.S. adults 18+. Interviewing was conducted by Research Now between April 3 and April 12, 2013. Data analysis was conducted by the Futures Company.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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