Rethinking Success: Why It's More Than Just Achievements
When you hear the word success, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s landing that big promotion, buying your dream home, or earning recognition for your work. For most of us, success has been defined by achievements — checking off the “right” boxes, climbing the ladder, and earning applause along the way.
But what if we’ve been looking at success all wrong?
True success isn’t just about what you accomplish; it’s about who you become along the way. It’s not about having more, doing more, or being the best — it’s about living a life that’s meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with your values. As I share in Who Am I?, “Success isn’t measured by applause or awards; it’s found in living out your purpose with integrity and joy.”
Let’s talk about what success really looks like and why it’s about so much more than achievements.
1. Why Our Culture Gets Success Wrong
We live in a world that loves to measure success with numbers — how much money you make, how many followers you have, how many “wins” you can claim. From an early age, we’re taught that success equals achievement, and the more we achieve, the more valuable we are.
But here’s the truth: Chasing achievements alone can leave you feeling empty. You can reach every milestone, hit every target, and still feel like something’s missing. Why? Because success built on external validation doesn’t satisfy the internal needs of your heart and soul.
As I wrote in, Who Am I?, “You were created for more than titles, trophies, and temporary applause. Your worth isn’t measured by what you achieve but by who you are.”
2. Redefining Success: It’s About Alignment, Not Applause
Real success is about living a life that’s aligned with your purpose and values. It’s about pursuing what matters most to you, not what the world says should matter.
Ask yourself:
Am I growing into the person I want to be?
Am I honoring my relationships, faith, and passions?
Am I using my gifts to make a positive impact on others?
When you redefine success, you start focusing less on what you have and more on who you are. And that’s where the real fulfillment is.
3. Success is Found in the Small Things
Too often, we think success has to be big. We imagine it as standing on a stage, hitting a major milestone, or achieving something extraordinary. But real success is found in the small, everyday moments that often go unnoticed.
Success is choosing kindness when it’s hard.
Success is showing up for your family and friends, even when life is busy.
Success is staying true to your values, even when no one is watching.
Success is taking small steps forward, even when progress feels slow.
When you start celebrating the small things, you’ll realize how much success you’re already living.
Practical Tip:
Take a moment today to reflect on one “small success” you’ve had recently — something you did that made you proud or brought joy to someone else. Write it down and celebrate it.
4. Success is About Impact, Not Just Achievement
True success isn’t about climbing the ladder for yourself. It’s about the impact you have on others along the way. Success happens when you use your gifts, time, and energy to make a difference — whether that’s encouraging a friend, mentoring someone, or showing compassion to a stranger.
Think about this: At the end of your life, people won’t talk about how much money you made or how many awards you earned. They’ll remember how you treated them. They’ll remember the kindness, love, and wisdom you shared.
As I said in, Who Am I?, “Your legacy isn’t built on your achievements; it’s built on the lives you touch and the difference you make.”
5. Faith and True Success
For those of us who walk in faith, success looks a little different. The Bible reminds us that success isn’t about what the world values — it’s about living a life that honors God and reflects His love to others.
Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” In other words, success comes when we live according to God’s truth and purpose.
When you let faith guide your definition of success, you realize that you don’t have to prove your worth — because your worth is already secure in Him.
6. Practical Steps to Redefine Success
Ready to start redefining success in your life? Here are a few steps to help you get there:
Define Your Values: What matters most to you? Write down your top 3–5 values and use them as a filter for your decisions.
Focus on Growth, Not Perfection: Success is about progress, not perfection. Celebrate every step forward, no matter how small.
Live with Gratitude: Shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have. Gratitude helps you see the success already in your life.
Use Your Gifts to Serve Others: Find ways to make an impact — big or small — by using your time, talents, and resources to bless others.
Let Go of Comparison: Your journey is yours. Stop measuring your success against someone else’s and focus on what’s right for you.
It’s time to stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start living out your own. True success isn’t measured by achievements — it’s found in living a life of purpose, impact, and authenticity. It’s about showing up for the people and things that matter most, growing into who you were created to be, and making a difference along the way.
My Challenge for you:
What does success look like for you? Take a few minutes today to write down your definition of success and reflect on how you’re living it out. Share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear how you’re redefining success in your own life!
