Does success really matter? Does success matter in life? Does success matter for happiness and fulfillment? It’s a question we’ve all grappled with at some point.

In this candid blog post, I’ll dive deep into this very question – does success truly matter? By the end, I hope you’ll have some insights to ponder as you consider the role of success in your own life.

What is Success Anyway?

Before we can decide if success matters, we first need to define what success even means. Does success matter if we can’t agree on what it is? The dictionary definition is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” But that’s quite vague.

For some, success means money, status, and power. Does success matter if you’re wealthy but miserable?

For others, success is about achievement and legacy – changing the world in some way. But does success matter if you sacrifice relationships and health to get there?

I believe true success has to include some level of inner peace, good relationships, and feeling fulfilled.

Does success really matter if you’re conventionally “successful” but you hate your life? Seems empty to me.

Does Financial Success Matter?

One of the most common definitions of success is financial. Does money and wealth really matter that much though? Does success matter if you make millions but never see your family?

In my opinion, a basic level of financial security does matter. Not having to stress about bills or debt is huge for mental health. But after a certain point, more money doesn’t translate to more happiness.

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs say the same thing – that money is a bad metric for success. Does rampant ambition and greed for more ever really satisfy? Or does success ultimately have to include balance and appreciation for what you have?

Does Success in Your Career Matter?

Your career and professional achievements are another common measure of success.

But does career success truly matter above all else? Does success matter if you climb every corporate ladder but never actually enjoy the journey?

I’d argue that finding work you’re passionate about matters far more than empty titles or accolades. Does record-breaking success at a job you hate really matter? Or does success require purpose and alignment with your values?

There’s more to life than professional success too. Does breakout career success really matter if you neglect your loved ones, health, and personal interests in the process?

That lacks balance.

Does Success With Impact and Legacy Matter?

For some, success is measured by the impact you have and the legacy you leave behind.

Certainly, contributing something positive to the world seems like a noble measure of success.

But does success matter if your impact came at the cost of your own happiness and relationships?

I don’t think impact and legacy automatically make success matter either. Does success really matter if you started a billion-dollar business that exploits workers and damages the environment?

True, lasting success requires more than jut pure achievement, at least in my books. It needs to be ethical and align with your values. Otherwise, does it really matter?

Does Conventional Success Really Matter?

As you can probably tell by now, I’m quite skeptical of society’s conventional definitions of success.

Does monetary wealth, power, and status really matter if they come at the cost of everything else?

Those mainstream symbols of success are so shallow and unfulfilling to me.

Does success truly matter if you’re surrounded by material wealth but no genuine human connections? If you have incredible career accomplishments but never took time to appreciate the journey?

Real success has to be more than just checking off arbitrary boxes, doesn’t it? Does obsessively chasing conventional success really matter if you neglect your emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing in the process?

Does Internal Success Matter More?

In my experience, internal and unconventional measures of success tend to matter more in the long run. Does success truly matter if it doesn’t include:

• A strong sense of purpose and passion for what you do
• Nurturing your most important relationships and feeling loved
• Taking care of your physical and mental health
• Continual growth, learning, and evolving as a person
• Feeling grateful and appreciating the present moment
• Living according to your values with integrity

To me, that’s what real, sustainable success looks like.

Does success without those things really matter at all? Does mindlessly chasing money and status over those things make you genuinely successful?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-ambition or anti-achievement.

Building a career you care about, earning enough for security, and making a positive impact can certainly be part of a successful life.

But does success really matter if those are your only priorities?

Does Balance and Harmony Matter Most for Success?

My personal philosophy is that lasting success requires harmony between all major areas of life.

Does career success really matter if you neglect your health, relationships, and personal growth? Does financial success really matter if you sacrifice your values and inner peace?

True success means having a balance and avoiding going to extremes in any one area.

Does record-breaking success in just one area really matter if it comes at the expense of everything else that’s important?

I think authentic, sustainable success stems from progress and growth in all major spheres – work, relationships, health, personal development, and contributing value to the world.

Does fragmented, one-dimensional “success” really matter?

Does Happiness and Fulfillment Matter Most?

At the end of the day, does success without genuine happiness and fulfillment really matter?

You could achieve pure conventional success – piles of money, power, status, reputation, legacy. But does it really matter if you’re profoundly unhappy and unsatisfied with your life?

To me, the ultimate measure of success needs to include consistent inner peace, feeling fulfilled by how you spend your time, and appreciation for your life and the journey itself.

Does success really matter if those things are missing?

My belief is that true, lasting success is first and foremost about being happy and feeling fulfilled by your life.

All the achievements and milestones in the world don’t really matter if they don’t add up to a life well-lived and enjoyed.

The Bottom Line: Does Success Matter?

So does success really matter at the end of the day?

Based on my own experience and philosophy, I don’t think conventional success matters all that much. Does money, power, and status truly matter if they come at the cost of your wellbeing? Your most treasured relationships and personal growth?

To me, real, sustainable success stems from:

• Living according to your deepest values and highest ideals
• Consistent inner peace, gratitude, and appreciation for your life
• Nurturing your most precious relationships and feeling loved
• Contributing positive value and impact through your life’s work
• Continual growth, curiosity, and evolution as a human being
• Balancing major life priorities like career, health, relationships, etc.

If you achieve all of those things, does anything else really matter? Does money, status, external achievement, and ego-driven ambition truly define success? Or is authentic success ultimately about feeling fulfilled by how you live your life?

Those are just my two cents based on my personal experiences and continuous reevaluation of what a life well-lived looks like. I don’t think there’s one universal definition, as we all have to find our own version of success that resonates.

But I do believe that blind adherence to society’s conventional markers of success is a shallow, unfulfilling way to live. True success has to go far deeper – into your values, your relationships, your overall life satisfaction.

Does superficial success devoid of those things really matter at all?

I’ll leave you to ponder that for yourself. As for me, I choose to focus less on the world’s definitions of success, and more on living a life that feels meaningful, joyful, balanced and true to who I am.

Peace✌