If you’re reading this, you’re probably like me. I used to be the person who thought success was all about the size of your paycheck and the prestige of your accomplishments.
My first taste of this mindset came when I started my first job. I was eager, determined, and convinced that happiness was directly tied to the number on my bank statement.
I chased promotions, accolades, and material wealth, believing that each milestone would bring me closer to fulfillment.
But despite my successes, something was missing. The joy I thought I would feel was fleeting, and never quite as satisfying as I’d imagined.
It took some time, a lot of self-reflection, and a significant shift in perspective before I learned to measure success differently.
Navigating this journey wasn’t easy, but it was profoundly rewarding. Here are the lessons I’ve learned along the way about how to measure success by joy rather than by money and accomplishments. And how, through this shift in perspective, I finally felt fulfilled.
In my pursuit of traditional success, I had to acknowledge that my current definition was not fulfilling me.
I spent years chasing after promotions, recognition, and financial milestones, thinking that they were the key to happiness.
But despite achieving these goals, the satisfaction was temporary and always left me wanting more.
The first step I took towards real fulfillment was to redefine what success meant to me. Instead of focusing on external validation and material possessions, I began to value internal satisfaction and personal growth.
This shift in perspective didn’t come easily. It required a lot of introspection and unlearning old beliefs. But it was a crucial first step in my journey towards measuring success by joy.
This may seem like a simple tip, but it’s a powerful one. Redefining success isn’t about settling or lowering your standards; it’s about aligning your goals with what truly brings you happiness and fulfillment. It sets the foundation for the rest of the strategies on this list.
In my past, I was always looking to the future — the next promotion, the next paycheck, the next milestone. I was so focused on what was coming next that I forgot to appreciate what was happening right then and there.
I now understand that this mindset was a significant barrier to experiencing joy.
True, lasting happiness doesn’t come from what we’ll have or where we’ll be in the future. It comes from appreciating and embracing what we have right now.
Sounds simple, right?
It is. But it’s easier said than done. We live in a society that encourages us to always want more, to never be satisfied with what we have. It’s a hard cycle to break.
But here’s what you can do:
Start by taking moments throughout your day to pause and appreciate the things you have. It could be as simple as enjoying your morning coffee, taking a walk outdoors, or spending time with loved ones.
Instead of saying, “I’ll be happy when I get that raise,” try thinking, “I’m grateful for the job I have right now.”
By doing this, you are anchoring yourself in the present moment and finding joy in everyday experiences. This practice is not about ignoring your goals or ambitions but about balancing your pursuit of success with appreciation for the journey.
Throughout my pursuit of traditional success, I often overlooked one crucial element: meaningful relationships. I was so engrossed in my personal achievements and material possessions that I neglected the connections that truly mattered.
Looking back, I realize that no amount of money or accolades could replace the joy and fulfillment derived from meaningful relationships.
The shared experiences, mutual growth, emotional support, and love from these bonds are priceless and integral to our overall sense of well-being.
But, like anything of value, nurturing these relationships takes effort and time. However, this investment pays off in more ways than you can imagine.
Start by dedicating quality time to your loved ones. Be present during these moments and actively engage in conversations, showing genuine interest in their lives. Show appreciation and express your love regularly.
Moreover, extend your network beyond just family and friends. Engage with your community; participate in local events, volunteer for causes you care about.
The feeling of connectedness that comes from being part of a community can significantly enhance your joy and fulfillment.
For a long time, I thought success was about having more—more money, more luxury, more proof that I had “made it.”
But no matter what I bought, the excitement faded fast. It took me a while to realize that the things I remembered most weren’t things at all.
They were moments—traveling to new places, deep conversations with friends, trying something for the first time.
Experiences give life meaning in a way that possessions never can. They shape you, challenge you, and leave you with stories worth telling. Unlike material things, which eventually lose their shine, experiences stay with you forever.
Now, instead of chasing things, I focus on collecting moments. Because at the end of the day, the best parts of life aren’t the things we own but the memories we make.
I used to see creativity as a means to an end—something valuable only if it led to recognition, success, or some tangible result.
If I wasn’t producing something impressive or marketable, I questioned whether it was worth my time.
But over time, I realized that the true fulfillment of creativity isn’t in the outcome—it’s in the process itself.
Engaging in creative work, whether it’s writing, painting, or music, is about more than just producing something “good.”
It’s about exploring ideas, experimenting, and allowing yourself to create without pressure.
Some days, the process feels effortless; other days, it’s frustrating. But every part of it—the uncertainty, the flow, the breakthroughs—adds depth to the experience.
Now, I focus less on the end product and more on the process itself. I embrace the trial and error, the messy drafts, the imperfect results, because that’s where the real joy is.
Creativity isn’t just about what you make—it’s about how the process shapes you along the way.
Here’s a life-changing realization I had —none of my so-called success mattered if I didn’t feel at peace.
True success isn’t about what the world sees. It’s about how you feel when you wake up in the morning.
Do you feel content? Do you feel aligned with your values? Do you feel at ease with who you are? That’s what real success looks like.
Now, instead of measuring success by what I achieve, I measure it by how much peace I have. Because in the end, that’s what makes everything else worth it.
This ties closely to my previous point—because real inner peace comes from living in alignment with what truly matters to you.
If your work constantly forces you to compromise your values, no amount of success or financial reward will make up for that disconnect.
Finding meaningful work isn’t just about passion; it’s about purpose. It’s about asking, Does this work reflect who I am? Does it contribute to something I believe in?
When your daily efforts align with your deeper values, work stops feeling like a struggle. It becomes an extension of who you are, not just something you do to get by.
Now, I approach work with a process-oriented mindset. Instead of chasing external validation, I focus on whether my work aligns with my principles, whether it challenges me in meaningful ways, and whether it allows me to contribute authentically.
Because true success is doing work that not only sustains you—but also feels like it matters.
In my journey from measuring success in terms of money and achievements to finding fulfillment in joy, one revelation stands out: the importance of alignment with your purpose.
When you’re unaligned with your true purpose, it’s easy to be swayed by external definitions of success – those that society, peers, or family might impose on you.
But when you connect with your life’s purpose, you start to see success as a personal and unique journey, one that brings genuine joy and fulfillment.
So, how do you discover your purpose?
It’s a question that plagued me for a long time until I stumbled upon a unique approach by Justin Brown, an entrepreneur who navigated his own challenges to align with his life’s purpose.
Justin is offering a free masterclass titled Find Your Purpose Masterclass. In the masterclass, he shares his unconventional method of discovering your life purpose, a method that doesn’t rely on traditional self-development techniques.
I believe this masterclass could be a valuable resource for you as it was for me. It may help you redefine success in terms of joy and fulfillment by aligning you with your life’s purpose.
Remember, success isn’t about accumulating wealth or achieving milestones. It’s about creating a life that resonates with your true self, a life that brings you joy. And discovering your purpose is the first step towards this kind of success.
The post I used to measure success by money and achievements. Here’s how I learned to measure it by joy and finally felt fulfilled appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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