What is success? 10 tips to have success in life

If you asked 10 different people their definition of success, you would probably get 10 different answers. That’s because everyone defines success differently. Some equate success with spiritual and emotional fulfillment. Others view it as amassing wealth, achieving happiness, or positively impacting others.

Creating your own definition of success can help you set clear, meaningful goals and develop good habits for achieving them.

Success meaning and definition

Success, a subjective term, is often defined as the achievement of a goal or purpose. For example, you might define success as securing a well-deserved promotion. On the other hand, your coworker may view it as creating work-life balance that gives them more time with family. The word “success” originated in the mid-16th century from the Latin word successus, which comes from the verb succedere, meaning “to come close after.”

Society teaches us that success is centered around accomplishment, particularly the achievement of wealth or fame. In fact, if you Google “successful people,” you’ll come up with a list of record-breaking athletes, self-made billionaires, and successful Silicon Valley business icons. 

But success isn’t always measured in terms of money, notoriety, and celebrity status. It’s up to you to define what the word “success” means based on your values and aspirations. Only then can you aspire to achieve your personal and professional goals.

What does it mean to be successful?

Because success is shaped by your values, goals, and life experiences, it has many different meanings. In general, success refers to accomplishment, achievement, or progress. Some people define success in life as earning a college degree. Others define it as enjoying an exciting career or making a difference in their community. 

One thing successful people have in common is that they typically don’t achieve their goals overnight. It takes time, effort, and perseverance. Over time, your values and priorities may change along with your definition of success. Instead of thinking of success as a destination, consider it a never-ending journey.

Examples of success

Success can take many forms and be found in various examples, whether it’s reaching personal milestones or excelling in a professional field. One person’s ambition might be to start their own business, while another may view personal happiness and fulfillment as the key to success. 

Here are some examples of success to inspire your goal setting:

• Achieving financial success so that you can retire comfortably
• Being happy with who you are and not worrying about what people think of you
• Having the freedom and flexibility to work when and where you want
• Making a difference in the world by contributing positively to your community
• Raising children who go on to become happy, healthy, productive members of society
• Having a successful career that allows you to travel and meet people from all walks of life
• Achieving happiness, balance, and achievement at work and in your personal life

10 tips to have success in life

While the definition of success is subjective, these actionable success tips can help you achieve your goals.

1. Create your definition of success

Think about how you define success. Defining success on your own terms requires self-awareness and strategic planning. Once you know what success means to you, you can focus your time and energy on making it a reality. 

Start by finding quiet time for self-reflection. Then ask yourself these questions to spark some ideas:

• What are my values and priorities?
• What satisfies my core needs?
• What makes me feel inspired and energized?
• What does it look like when I try to visualize success?
• What are the things and activities that bring me happiness?
• What legacy do I want to leave behind?

Once you answer these questions, write down your definition of success. Be as detailed and specific as you can. The goal is to document your thoughts so you can return to them later and revise them as necessary.

2. Cultivate self-efficacy

Believing in your own capabilities, also known as self-efficacy, is a critical success factor. Stanford University psychologist Albert Bandura first coined the term in 1977. 

According to Bandura, self-efficacy is a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in certain situations. A person high in self-efficacy tends to approach challenges with confidence, motivation, and resilience. Research published in Scientific Reports shows that higher self-efficacy also leads to better career development.

There are many ways you can improve self-efficacy:

• Redefine failures as learning experiences.
• Cultivate a positive mental attitude by reframing obstacles as opportunities.
• Surround yourself with mentors and role models who inspire you.
• Break challenging projects into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Set realistic goals and evolve your aims as you build confidence.

While believing in yourself isn’t always easy, it’s something you can improve over time.

3. Embrace a growth mindset

Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck was the first to describe the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets. Her research discusses how a fixed mindset assumes our abilities and intelligence are unchangeable. Because people with a fixed mindset believe success is the result of innate talent, they are more likely to give up easily or avoid challenges altogether. 

On the other hand, a growth mindset acknowledges your ability to improve your talents and intelligence with effort. When you believe you can gain the skills and knowledge to succeed, you’re more likely to feel empowered to reach your goals.

Here are some things you can do to develop a growth mindset:

• Value effort by recognizing that you can achieve better outcomes with hard work and determination.
• Embrace challenges by looking at them as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Welcome feedback by accepting constructive criticism and using it to improve your skills.
• Continue to learn new things by taking a course, reading a book, or listening to a podcast.
• Encourage positive self-talk during challenging situations by reminding yourself you aren’t good at it “yet.”  

4. Learn to set and achieve goals

Another key to success in life is learning how to set goals and achieve them. Using specific criteria to set SMART goals can help you hold yourself accountable. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. To create a SMART goal, ask yourself these questions:

• Specific: What do I want to accomplish?
• Measurable: How will I measure my success?
• Achievable: Do I have the skills to attain this goal?
• Relevant: Why am I setting this goal?
• Time-bound: What is the time frame for achieving the goal?

Another goal-attainment practice, Kaizen, focuses on action. It originated as a Japanese business philosophy around continuous improvement. Kaizen is useful for personal development because it focuses on incremental daily improvements instead of radical change. By taking small actions, you build healthy habits that make long-term goals more achievable.

5. Develop self-discipline

Self-discipline is the ability to continue moving toward your goals, even when you might not feel like it. It helps you set and achieve long-term goals without getting distracted along the way.

Examples of self-discipline might be waking up early every morning to go to the gym, even when you feel tired, or saving for a down payment on a house by cutting out unnecessary expenses. 

Here are some tips to build self-discipline:

• Create a productive environment by minimizing distractions.
• Prioritize daily tasks so you can focus on what’s important.
• Leverage productivity tips to maximize your time.
• Celebrate small wins as you make progress.
• Find an accountability partner like a friend, mentor, or coach.

6. Strengthen your emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI), also known as emotional quotient (EQ), refers to the ability to understand and manage your emotions and the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence skills help you build stronger relationships and achieve career success. 

An analysis published in Frontiers in Psychology shows a positive correlation between EI and work performance. Additionally, a TalentSmartEQ study found that people with high EI make $29,000 per year more on average than people with low EI. Fortunately, emotional intelligence is something you can learn and improve over time.

These tips can help you develop your emotional intelligence skills:

• Observe your feelings and behaviors throughout the day.
• Record your feelings in a bullet journal to increase awareness of emotional triggers.
• Remain open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Practice listening to others without judgment.
• Employ active listening techniques like nodding and asking questions.

7. Practice success visualization

When you hear the word “visualization,” you might think of top athletes preparing to sink the next putt or score the next home run. Many Olympians use visualization techniques to imagine what it feels like to win a gold medal. Anyone, though, can use the concept in almost any setting, including at work, school, home, or even in the car.

These five steps will get you started on your visualization practice for success:

• Write down what you want in detail.
• Imagine what it feels like to accomplish the desired outcome.
• Take action daily toward your goal.
• Increase your level of knowledge if needed.
• Set aside time each day to practice visualization.

8. Cultivate a strong support system

To achieve success in life, you must surround yourself with a strong support system. Support networks are also critical when you’re going through high-stress situations. 

A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that social support strengthens resilience in stressful situations. Johns Hopkins Medicine also highlights additional benefits of personal support systems, including improved emotional and physical well-being and reduced stress. 

To create a strong support network, follow these strategies:

• Ask for help when you need it.
• Engage a coach or mentor who will hold you accountable.
• Volunteer with community organizations that matter to you.
• Find a hobby you enjoy to connect with people who have similar interests.
• Leverage social networking sites to stay connected to friends and family.

9. Practice self-care strategies

Many experts are calling attention to an epidemic of burnout at work. A recent report from Indeed found that employee burnout is on the rise, with more than half of workers feeling burned out. 

Self-care should be at the top of your priority list to help you succeed. By establishing an intentional wellness practice, you can reduce the risk of work-related stress and emotional exhaustion.

The most effective way to care for your mind, body, and spirit is to pay attention to each of these categories:

• Mental self-care: Keep your mind healthy by learning new things and practicing compassion.
• Physical self-care: Take care of your body by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and exercising.
• Emotional self-care: Be aware of your feelings and process them in a healthy way.
• Financial self-care: Pursue financial wellness by setting aside savings and paying off debt.
• Social self-care: Focus on relationships by spending quality time with people you care about.
• Spiritual self-care: Engage in grounding techniques that cultivate inner peace like mindful breathing exercises, yoga, or nature walks.

10. Learn to adapt to change

Adaptability is essential to achieving success in life and at work. It allows you to embrace change and navigate stress even in the face of unexpected events. 

With generative AI and other technologies reshaping the world, employers increasingly look for people who can cope with ever-changing working conditions. In fact, LinkedIn named adaptability in the workplace the “top skill of the moment” in its report The 2024 Most In-Demand Skills. 

To train yourself to be more adaptable, follow these strategies: 

• Embrace change by maintaining a positive attitude.
• Continuously build new skills to increase confidence.
• Use a problem-solving approach to deal with change.
• Step outside your comfort zone by trying new things.
• Practice flexibility by adjusting your routines and perspective.

In a world where change is the only constant, adaptability can be your best friend.

Build habits for success in life with a coach

You owe it to yourself to define what success means to you. Whether you are experiencing obstacles or a fear of success is keeping you stuck, you don’t have to walk this journey alone. 

Develop habits for success with the help of a BetterUp Coach so you can conquer your personal and professional goals.