How I see success.

Am I successful? Depends on who you ask.

For many in my world, true success in my field is synonymous with winning a grand slam or a major tournament. In that case, for them, I’m unsuccessful. Wasted potential. 

Oh well.

I think a lot of people confuse ‘success’ with a certain job, a certain title, a certain salary, a certain follower count, a certain level of fame, whatever. But there are enough examples of miserable CEOs, millionaires, Oscar winners, and Grand Slam champions out there that makes it obvious (to me) that there’s a lot more to it than that. 

It’s kind of like “luxury”. Luxury means something different to everyone. For some, it might be about having a seven-figure bank account and staying in fancy hotels. For others, it might be about having tons of free time to do what they love. For another person, luxury might be as simple as taking a cab to the airport.

In my case, I measure my own “success” not necessarily on the Majors I win or lose, but on the emotions I feel on a day-to-day basis. 

Am I excited to wake up in the morning, see my family, and greet a new day? Check. ✅

Do I feel a sense of contentment—like my life is full and that I’m happy with what I have? Check. ✅

Do I feel an inner fire—the feeling that I want to do the things on my to-do list, versus that I have to do them? Check. ✅

As long as I’m feeling these feelings, I certainly feel successful. 

Measuring success in this way—through emotions rather than achievements—seems like the right way to go for me.

Why? Because it leaves room for the fact that success is fluid. Evolving. A living thing whose shape can (and should) change as your life, values, and priorities do.

And you? How do you define success and when do you feel it?

Until next time,

Gaël