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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

Let’s Redefine What Winning Really Means

We live in a world that often glorifies the grind. You’ve probably heard it: “Work harder, push more, don’t stop until you’re at the top.” And while there’s value in hard work, I think we need to step back and ask ourselves, what are we really chasing?

Is success about simply outrunning everyone else, or is it about creating a life that feels aligned with who we truly are? I believe it’s the latter. In my experience, the notion of “winning” goes far beyond titles, financial achievements, or societal accolades.

Let’s talk about a different kind of winning. One that’s not about working yourself to exhaustion or constantly chasing more, but about living with clarity, leading with purpose, and lifting others as you rise.

True Freedom: What Does It Really Look Like?

Success, at its core, is about freedom. Not just financial freedom, though that’s a big part of it, but the kind of freedom where you get to live life on your own terms. For some, that might mean peace of mind or time with loved ones. For others, it’s about pursuing a passion without compromise. Whatever it looks like for you, real success is deeply personal.

True success is more than a series of milestones; it’s about how you move through life daily. It’s about the choices you make and whether those choices align with your values and your purpose. The goal isn’t to be better than others; it’s to become the best version of yourself.

The Essence of Freedom

Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all equation. For some, it’s professional accomplishment or financial security. For others, it’s about peace of mind, time with loved ones, or pursuing passions. Ultimately, success is about freedom—the ability to live life on your own terms.

That freedom doesn’t come easy, and it’s certainly not a result of endless hustle. There’s a misconception that constant grinding will lead to fulfillment. The truth is, real success comes from deliberate choices, knowing when to step back and find joy in the journey. You stop running after more and start appreciating the meaning behind what you’re doing.

How to define success for yourself:

• Spend time reflecting on what truly matters. Ask yourself, “What do I want my life to look like?”
• Let go of external definitions of success. It’s not about society’s benchmarks, it’s about yours.
• Identify the areas of your life where you’re out of balance, and make adjustments.
• Set boundaries that protect your personal time. It’s okay to step back when necessary.
• Reframe success to include personal happiness and well-being, not just professional achievements.
• Once you have that clarity, ensure your daily actions and long-term goals align with that vision.

Why it matters:

Success isn’t about chasing someone else’s dream. It’s about living a life that feels true to you. Because, success without fulfillment is hollow. True freedom comes when you control how you spend your time.

The Hustle Fallacy

The narrative that success is purely about hard work is outdated. It’s not about pushing yourself to exhaustion. Winning comes from being thoughtful, from knowing where to apply your energy and focus. That’s the difference between being busy and being productive.

It’s an acquired skill—learning how to work smart isn’t something you master overnight. You refine your methods through experience, repetition, and persistence. “Work smarter, not harder” isn’t a shortcut; it’s a learned discipline. The most seasoned professionals make success look effortless because they’ve spent years honing their approach, learning how to leverage their strengths.

For example, the rise in entrepreneurship—over 5.4 million business applications filed in the U.S. in 2021 alone—taught many that success isn’t about simply working more hours. It’s about iterating, experimenting, and adapting to find what works best.

How to identify strategic effort areas:

• Take stock of how you’re spending your time. Are you being productive or just busy?
• Prioritize what’s important, not what’s urgent. Focus on high-impact activities that move the needle.
• Remember, “working smarter” is a skill developed through experience. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with time, you’ll refine your approach.

Why it matters:

Effort without strategy leads to burnout. Real progress comes from thoughtful, intentional work.

Empowerment Over Competition

True leadership is not about defeating others. It’s about lifting people up. Winning isn’t defined by how many you outpace but by how many you empower along the way.

Today, leadership is about collaboration. In a post-pandemic world where teams are global and work is increasingly remote, the companies that have thrived are those that empowered their people and fostered environments of collaboration. These organizations saw not only higher employee engagement but greater innovation.

How to enable collaborative success:

• In your work, create opportunities for others to contribute and grow. Give them ownership, not just tasks.
• Encourage collaboration, and create an environment where others can thrive. Your success is tied to the success of those around you.
• Ask yourself regularly, “How can I lift others up in the process of pursuing my own goals?”

Why it matters:

Leadership is not about domination, it’s about empowerment. The more you lift others, the higher you rise together.

Mastery and Understanding

Success requires a deep understanding of the game you’re playing. You can’t rely solely on intelligence or intuition. The professionals who make it look easy have engaged with the process, failed, adapted, and learned how to spot smarter ways to move forward.

It’s tempting to romanticize great ideas, but execution is the deciding factor. Studies show that around 90% of startups fail, often due to poor execution. The successful 10% are the ones who adapt, iterate, and execute with precision. You can’t avoid the tough parts; every success story is filled with moments of struggle and relentless effort.

It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. —Albert Einstein

How to get cultivate and execute self-mastery:

• Regularly reflect on your actions and decisions. Are they aligned with your values and long-term goals?
• Develop personal habits that promote growth — whether it’s journaling, meditation, or continuous learning.
• Let go of external pressures. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, not what others expect you to be.
• Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Take action, even if it’s imperfect.
• Break down your big ideas into clear, actionable steps and execute relentlessly.
• Review your progress regularly and be willing to adjust based on what’s working and what’s not.

Why it matters:

Mastering yourself is the foundation of true success. When you understand your motivations and goals, life feels more effortless.

Ideas alone don’t create success—execution does. The ability to follow through is what sets winners apart.

Patience and Discipline

True achievement doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a long, steady process. The businesses that survived the pandemic weren’t necessarily the fastest or the hardest-working, but the ones that were patient and adaptable. They didn’t just persevere; they innovated and found new ways to create value.

How to practice long-term success:

• Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate progress, not just the final outcome.
• Be flexible in your approach. If something isn’t working, be willing to change your strategy.
• Embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and refine your methods. They’re part of the process.

Why it matters:

Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Those who adapt and persist are the ones who ultimately win.

Purpose-Driven Success

Success isn’t about outpacing others or accumulating more accolades. It’s about creating value, living in alignment with your purpose, and making decisions that fulfill you. True success requires self-awareness, clarity, and the courage to walk away from external expectations. It’s about playing the long game, building a life that reflects what truly matters to you.

How to lead with purpose:

• Regularly ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Ensure your work aligns with your deeper sense of purpose.
• Focus on creating value for others, not just achieving accolades.
• Make decisions that reflect long-term fulfillment, even if it means sacrificing short-term wins.

Why it matters:

Purpose-driven success leads to long-term fulfillment. When your actions are rooted in meaning, every step feels like progress.

As you walk your own path, remember this: Success is not a race, but a journey of self-mastery and impact. It’s about evolving, adapting, and empowering others along the way. Every decision you make, every step you take, should bring you closer to a life that feels authentic, not just impressive.

So, ask yourself—What kind of success do I want? Not just in terms of career or money, but in how you live each day. Reflect on this question, and let it guide your choices moving forward. Because in the end, the truest form of winning is living a life that’s fully and unapologetically yours.

When was the last time you checked in with yourself—not on your progress, but on whether your journey still feels like your own?

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. —Ralph Waldo Emerson