“How do you define success?“
Do you associate success with fancy cars, lavish homes, branded clothes, expensive jewelry, or a prestigious degree from a high-standard university? Or do you feel like its meaning is subjective? That success is not measurable using one criterion. And perhaps, you feel like it’s not supposed to be measured in the first place.
If you ask me, I think success needs no meaning. I believe victory is a mindset, and winning is an attitude. Your milestones are not the only definition of success; neither is mine or other people’s.
Because if we define success in a specific fashion, it would indicate that life is a competition. And for you to win, you have to follow the rules that will dictate your victory. But I always have this idea that success is a feeling. That whatever you do, wherever you are, and whenever it’s possible, as long as you are happy, you found the definition of success that resonates with you.
And people will argue about the real meaning of this word. As for me, it is and will always be undefinable; yet it can be described. On that note, I have listed down the feelings I associate strongly with it. These descriptions are the closest to a definition I have ever felt about success.
1. Success Feels Like Believing You Can
It may feel like you are not close to proving anything right now, but success is not supposed to feel like there’s something to prove. Sometimes, believing you will achieve your goals and dreams in due time is already an indication of a milestone.
Working on something so hard to simply prove your triumph to other people will lead you to lose. Your identity and dreams will never be as rewarding you thought they would be because you are killing yourself on a goal that isn’t yours.
But doing something you genuinely love and trusting the process while believing that you have what it takes to succeed is power.
2. Success Feels Like Doing Your Best
Sometimes it’s puzzling how people who seem to have everything feels the lack of fire in them. But there are those individuals with apparent struggles and yet feel like their lives are exciting because they don’t know what lies ahead.
And I guess that led me to think that perhaps feeling that you are always doing your best on something that matters is a success.
So if you ever feel like you are productive and happy because you have done a lot today, give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it for always trying.
3. Success Feels Like Contentment
However little it is, as long as you are contented with your progress, it is an achievement.
Cleaning your room after feeling a little flat these past few months is a milestone. Going back to the gym after years of procrastinating is an achievement. Leaving a job that you hate is a new opportunity. Taking care of yourself is progress.
Being content with these mundane things happening around you is a nice feeling. You don’t have to pressure yourself to do stuff you aren’t ready for because everyone is into something big. What good will it bring if you are not happy or if you are not content?
4. Success Feels Like Home
If you found someone or something you can consider as home, be grateful because it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world. No amount of fancy clothes or expensive stuff can compare to the richness of having a home.
Don’t go looking for success in all the wrong places and end up neglecting what you have. I mean, nothing is wrong with wanting a comfortable life. But don’t set aside and be ungrateful for what you have. Make sure to also live your life each day and not only obsess about the future.
5. Success Feels Like Being Connected
For me, the most inexplicably heartfelt moment I consider as success is growing as a better person. Sure, other good things have happened lately, and I am overly grateful for that. But it can’t compare to the feeling I felt when I realized what’s important.
Personally, feeling the connection of my soul and body in this world is happiness. Feeling that I am not alone and I hold other people deeply is precious. Reconnecting with myself and life after being lost for a while is worth it. And working on myself every day and hearing others say you’ve grown and matured emotionally and mentally is rewarding.
6. Success Feels Like is Overcoming
There’s a lot of things we want to overcome. And if you have conquered those personal flaws, toxicity, fear, and negativity, then you deserve a proud moment.
It’s never easy to step away from your comfort zone, but it is always worth it.
7. Success Feels Like Gratitude
Being genuinely grateful means a lot. Once you understand that having friends, family, loved ones, pets, and so on is a blessing, it’s a success. Why? Because we easily take them for granted. We could think they are not money; they are not material stuff; and they are not glory. We tend to forget about them. Let alone appreciating how much they’ve nurtured us, supported us, and loved us.
Re-think and be grateful for everything worth thanking for, even if it seems small.
8. Success Feels Like Loving Yourself
Serving yourself is not as simple as buying your wants. It’s a little more complex than that.
Loving yourself means listening to what your body says. If your body screams exhaustion, rest. And if your body feels flat, cry and let it all out. Loving yourself means being there for yourself when no one else is.
We don’t always take care of ourselves. Sometimes we even drift so far away from it. Learning that you deserve to receive the love you give to other people is a success. And starting to accept yourself a little each day is more than a reason to be proud of.
Success is feeling kind to others and yourself.
Final Thoughts
It’s okay not to agree with how I describe success; I am not forcing anyone to think like me. But I’ll end this writing by saying, do not invalidate moments that others consider a success simply because it does not live up to your definition. You are free to define success the way you want but don’t ever make other people feel less for not having the same opportunity as you.
Not having all the nice things in the world should not relate to inadequacy. Because each of us sets and labels priorities differently. Instead, let’s support and respect our differences. At the end of the day, success is who, what, where, how, and why we are at our happiest.