“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou

Success—But on Whose Terms?

Many of us grow up with a preset script of what success should look like. This may include having a certain job and then laying a path ahead, packed to the brim with a schedule—a plan of continuous and constant productivity, work, and energy expenditure to gain the goal. This often leads to achievement after achievement, sometimes without a pause to ask: Is this actually what I want?

Then, at some point in time, through burnout, transition, journaling and/or reflection, many of us arrive at the same question: What does success mean for me now?

This week’s blog is a chance to explore and consider how you might redesign success to honour your values, energy, and growth.

Why Redefining Success Matters

When you don’t define success for yourself, you may end up chasing someone else’s version of it. The cost of this may be:

• Constant comparison
• Exhaustion from chasing goals that don’t feel fulfilling
• A sense of achievement that feels… empty
• A disconnect between outer progress and inner peace.

Redesigning success isn’t about throwing everything away, but realigning how you work and live with who you truly are becoming.

Five Ways to Redesign What Success Means to You

1️⃣ Define Success by How It Feels, Not Just How It Looks

Success doesn’t have to be loud, shiny or public. Sometimes, it’s feeling energised at the end of the day, knowing you held your boundaries or proud of how you showed up.

💎 Real success creates alignment, not just applause.

2️⃣ Consider the Cost of Success

Success has a cost. This may be time, energy, relationships, or creativity.

💎 Ask yourself: What are you willing to trade, and what’s non-negotiable? 

3️⃣ Make Space for Evolving Definitions

Who you are at 25 is different from who you are at 45, so let your definition of success evolve as you do.

💎 Learn to let go of outdated goals that no longer reflect your truth.

4️⃣ Redesign Your Metrics

Instead of measuring success by promotions, pay raises, or productivity. Try measuring:

• How much joy your work brings
• How well you’re honouring your values
• How often do you feel seen and respected
• How deeply you’re living, not just working

💎 What you measure influences what you prioritise.

5️⃣ Remember That Thriving Looks Different for Everyone

Thriving might mean slowing down, pivoting, or saying “no” more often.  💎 There is no one right way to grow. There is only your way. 

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” – Albert Schweitzer

 

Your invitation this week is to journal for 20 minutes and sit with the following questions:

• What does success look like for me now?

• What does success feel like for me now?

• What do I need to release to thrive more fully?

You don’t need to do more to be successful, but define what success looks and feels like in your life today.