“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer

Success: A Journey, Not a Destination

Introduction

What is success? It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at some point in life. From a young age, we’re conditioned to believe that success is something external—something to chase, measure, and prove. We see it in exam results, job titles, social media likes, and material possessions. This version of success is loud, visible, and often dictated by others.

But as we grow older and experience life beyond grades and applause, many of us start to question that definition. Is success only about having more money, popularity, or power? If so, why do so many people who seem “successful” on the outside feel empty on the inside?

The truth is, success is far deeper than surface-level accomplishments. It’s not a one-time event or a destination you arrive at with a celebration. Instead, it’s a lifelong journey—a personal path shaped by your passions, principles, struggles, and dreams. Success isn’t something that can be handed to you by the world. It’s something you define for yourself.

In this blog, we’ll explore what success really means, why it’s important to define it on your own terms, and how true success often lies in the intangible: fulfillment, purpose, growth, and peace of mind.

Redefining Success

Most of us grow up with a pre-packaged definition of success—good grades, a prestigious job, a big house, a hefty bank balance. While these are worthy achievements, they represent only one dimension of success, and often, not the most fulfilling one.

True success is not about comparing yourself with others, but about aligning your life with your own values and passions. It’s about asking yourself:
– What makes me feel alive?
– What kind of life do I want to build for myself and those I love?
– What impact do I want to leave behind?

For some, success might be starting a business that solves a real-world problem. For others, it might be teaching underprivileged children, pursuing art, traveling the world, or simply leading a life of peace and contentment. The point is: success should be defined by your inner compass—not by society’s scoreboard.

In redefining success, we also shift focus from achievement to fulfillment. You can earn six figures and still feel empty. You can live modestly and feel completely at peace. That’s why success must be about quality of life, not just quantity of rewards.

When we stop chasing society’s version of success and start pursuing what genuinely brings us meaning, life becomes richer, more authentic, and far more satisfying.

The Journey Matters More Than the Destination

In the pursuit of success, we often become so fixated on the end goal that we forget to appreciate the road that leads us there. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy when I get that promotion,” or “Once I achieve this, I’ll finally feel successful.” But what we overlook is that life is made up of the in-between moments—the early mornings, the late nights, the lessons learned through failure, and the courage it takes to keep going.

The destination is just one fleeting moment. The journey, on the other hand, is where we grow.

Think about any meaningful achievement in your life. Was it the result itself that changed you, or the effort it took to get there? The setbacks that taught you patience, the mistakes that taught you humility, the progress that built your confidence—these are the things that shape your character and give true value to your success.

When you focus only on the outcome, you risk missing out on the richness of the process. But when you start valuing the journey—every challenge, every small win, every lesson—you begin to find purpose and joy in the present. You realize that success is not just about reaching the peak of the mountain, but about who you become while climbing it.

Success Requires Struggle

There is a quiet truth behind every great success story: struggle. It’s the part we don’t often see—the countless failures, sleepless nights, personal doubts, and moments of wanting to give up. While the world celebrates the final product, the reality is that success is almost always born through hardship.

Struggle is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you’re growing, pushing boundaries, and stepping outside your comfort zone. Every challenge you face builds mental strength, resilience, and wisdom. Without struggle, success would lose its meaning—it would feel unearned, hollow, and forgettable.

Consider the stories of people who have made lasting impacts. Nelson Mandela endured 27 years in prison before becoming a symbol of peace and justice. Elon Musk faced bankruptcy and multiple failures before launching successful ventures like Tesla and SpaceX. Oprah Winfrey overcame a difficult childhood filled with abuse and rejection before becoming one of the most influential media figures in the world.

These stories remind us that setbacks are not roadblocks—they are stepping stones. They force us to adapt, reflect, and evolve. And sometimes, it’s the very struggle that reveals our true purpose or inner strength.

Success earned easily is rarely appreciated. But when you’ve fought for something—when you’ve stumbled, fallen, and stood back up again—that victory feels powerful and personal. It becomes more than just a result; it becomes a part of who you are.

Personal Growth Is the Real Measure

In a world obsessed with outcomes, we often overlook the most meaningful indicator of success: personal growth. Titles, trophies, and paychecks may impress others, but they don’t always reflect what’s going on inside. True success is about how much you’ve grown as a person—how much stronger, wiser, kinder, and more self-aware you’ve become along the way.

Personal growth doesn’t always come with applause. It shows up quietly—in your ability to stay calm during chaos, to admit your mistakes without shame, to bounce back after failure, or to say no to things that no longer align with your values. These are small victories that don’t make headlines, but they build a life of substance and integrity.

Every step of the way, growth teaches you something. You begin to understand your strengths, confront your fears, and unlearn limiting beliefs. You start choosing progress over perfection, and effort over ease. And over time, you realize that becoming the person you admire is more fulfilling than trying to impress people who don’t even know the full story.

Success isn’t about having more; it’s about becoming more. More resilient. More compassionate. More confident in who you are and what you stand for. When you measure success by personal development rather than external rewards, you shift your focus from validation to evolution.

And that’s where true freedom lies—when success is no longer about being better than others, but about being better than you were yesterday.

Conclusion

Success isn’t a fixed formula or a one-size-fits-all achievement—it’s a deeply personal and evolving journey. It’s not confined to wealth, fame, or societal approval. Instead, it lives in the quiet moments of growth, the courage to keep going despite setbacks, and the joy found in staying true to yourself.

When we stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start defining it on our own terms, life begins to feel more authentic and fulfilling. We realize that the struggles weren’t detours, but the very path we needed to walk. We recognize that growth matters more than perfection, that effort outweighs applause, and that peace of mind is more valuable than public praise.

In the end, success is not about how the world sees you—it’s about how you see yourself when no one else is watching. If you are learning, growing, and moving forward with purpose, you are already successful.

So take a moment to pause. Reflect on how far you’ve come. Celebrate your growth. And remember: the truest version of success is one that brings you joy, meaning, and a sense of inner fulfillment.

Dr Prerna Singh Lavania

Asst Prof Department of Political Science