| QUICK ANSWER |
| Redefining success means reviewing the criteria used to judge achievement and deciding which priorities are personally meaningful and practically realistic. Research links goals aligned with personal values and a relative emphasis on intrinsic aspirations with wellbeing. External achievements can still be important. |
Table of Contents
A promotion, qualification or financial milestone can represent genuine progress. Yet those accomplishments do not always address the needs or interests a person hoped they would satisfy. Success criteria develop through a combination of personal experience, family expectations, culture and available opportunities. Reviewing those criteria can reveal which ones still serve a useful purpose and which deserve adjustment. This does not require rejecting ambition or treating personal preferences as independent of responsibilities.
External Vs Internal Success Criteria
Intrinsic aspirations include goals concerned with personal development, relationships, health and community contribution. Extrinsic aspirations include goals emphasizing financial success, recognition or appearance. These are categories of goal content, not judgments about whether a specific ambition is morally acceptable.
A financial goal may serve an important personal purpose, such as supporting family or increasing access to education. Recognition may also provide professional opportunities. The meta-analysis described above suggests that the balance of aspirations matters, rather than establishing that every external goal undermines wellbeing.
Self-determination theory examines experiences of autonomy, competence and relatedness. A goal may be more satisfying when its pursuit supports these needs, but opportunities to pursue valued goals differ. See why money does not buy happiness and the happiness paradox.
Consider two people pursuing the same promotion. One may value the new responsibilities, while the other may mainly want to avoid criticism. Both can have legitimate practical reasons for applying. Examining the motives and consequences provides more insight than judging the title of the goal alone.
| RESEARCH NOTE |
| A 2023 meta-analysis by Bradshaw and colleagues combined 105 studies involving more than 70,000 participants. Intrinsic aspirations were positively associated with wellbeing. Extrinsic aspirations overall had no significant association with wellbeing, but a relative predominance of those aspirations was associated with poorer outcomes. |
The Cultural Scripting Of Success
Cultural and family expectations influence how achievement is recognized. In some environments, career advancement is especially visible; in others, caregiving, community responsibility or maintaining family traditions may be prominent. Individuals can value these expectations without being forced to adopt every one.
Personal and collective priorities are not mutually exclusive. A person may freely endorse a goal learned from family or community. Conversely, pursuing an apparently individual goal may reflect pressure from peers. The distinction concerns how the person understands and relates to the goal.
Several dimensions of wellbeing may be relevant to a personal definition of success. Relationships, meaningful activities, achievement and other experiences can be considered together. Explore the PERMA model.
When expectations conflict, identify practical consequences and discuss relevant commitments with the people involved. Not every choice can be made without regard for others. A workable definition of success takes account of both autonomy and responsibilities.
Building Your Own Success Criteria
In their 1999 longitudinal research, Sheldon and Elliot examined self-concordant goals, which reflect a person’s interests and values. Such goals were associated with sustained effort, attainment and wellbeing benefits in the studied samples. These associations do not guarantee attainment or remove external barriers.
Write down a current goal and why it matters. Then consider what achieving it would change in daily life, what pursuing it would require and whether the expected benefits justify the demands. Include financial realities, health and important relationships in the review. Read identity-based goals.
Choose a feasible criterion that describes progress rather than requiring a perfect outcome. For example, someone developing a professional skill could evaluate useful practice and feedback alongside formal recognition. Revisit the criterion if circumstances change.
A personal definition of success can contain several goals with different time horizons. It can also include limits, such as protecting necessary rest or avoiding commitments that are financially unsustainable. The purpose is to develop a workable standard, not to create another source of pressure.
| KEY TAKEAWAY |
| A meaningful definition of success can balance personal values, practical needs and shared responsibilities. Research supports considering the alignment and balance of goals, rather than rejecting external achievement altogether. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Redefining Success Mean?
Reviewing and adjusting the criteria used to judge achievement.
Are External Goals Always Harmful?
No, financial and recognition-related goals can serve useful purposes.
What Are Self-Concordant Goals?
Goals that align with a person’s interests and values.
How Can I Build Personal Success Criteria?
Identify valued outcomes, consider realistic demands and choose meaningful measures of progress.
Does Redefining Success Mean Lowering Standards?
No, it can mean selecting more relevant, sustainable standards.
