What If Success Is Something We Get to Define Ourselves?
Perhaps success isn't only about what we accomplish, but how we choose to live.
I've been pondering a question.
What is success, really?
Is it what we achieve? How much money we earn? The recognition we receive? The goals we reach? Or is there another way to look at it?
Sometimes I think success is simply getting up in the morning, facing a new day, and deciding to do my best with whatever life brings.
With the willingness to be courageous. With creativity. And, whenever possible, with love for what I'm doing. Because some days, just showing up with an open mind and a willing heart takes tremendous courage.
Who gets to decide whether we're successful?
I wonder how often we measure ourselves against somebody else's definition of success. A more handsome face. A cuter house. A better-paying job. More recognition. Another accomplishment. And when we reach one goal, there's always another waiting.
But what if I decide for myself what makes my day successful?
Perhaps today it's about having a meaningful conversation. Tomorrow it's taking a courageous step toward my dream. Or finding a creative solution to something that has been troubling me. And sometimes, success might be recognizing that I need to rest rather than pushing myself harder.
What if success could include peace of mind, connection, curiosity, and the freedom to enjoy the life we're creating?
Success doesn't have to be equated with pressure.
What I like about defining success for myself is that it takes the pressure away.
It gives me room to experiment. To make mistakes. To change direction. To be creative and playful. And to appreciate what is happening along the way, rather than postponing satisfaction until I've reached some distant finish line.
That doesn't mean I stop having ambitions. Quite the opposite. I can pursue meaningful goals without making my worth dependent on achieving them. And that changes how I experience everything.
So, what is success?
Perhaps success isn't one grand achievement. Perhaps it's a collection of intentional choices. The courage to begin or stop. The willingness to learn or unlearn. The ability to recognize what matters in this hour. And the freedom to decide how I want to live in this moment.
I may still change my definition tomorrow. After all, I'm choosing. But for now, I've decided something. I'm going to use my own definition of success to design my own successes.
Not somebody else's. Mine. I decided.
Would you like to bring Intentional Leadership into your family-life?
The Intentional Parent Blueprint™ helps working parents develop the self-leadership, emotional awareness, and communication skills to navigate life's difficult moments with greater intention.
Connect with Mooniek Seebregts for an exploratory conversation.
Mooniek@greatparentsempower.com
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