How Do You Define Success and Happiness?
Imagine discovering the true essence of success and happiness through the eyes of those who have walked diverse paths. In this enlightening Q&A, an Executive Editor and a Life Transition Coach share their profound perspectives. The journey begins with insights on finding courage to begin again and concludes with the wisdom of fulfillment through meaningful pursuits, encompassing a total of fifteen expert opinions. Each insight reveals unique connections between personal success and happiness, offering readers a roadmap to their own fulfillment.
- Finding Courage to Begin Again
- Pursue Passion Over Wealth
- Align Life with Values and Purpose
- Growth and Fulfillment Define Success
- Helping Others Grow Brings Fulfillment
- Success is a State of Mind
- Interconnectedness of Success and Happiness
- Live Aligned with Values
- Meaningful Work Brings Happiness
- Passion Fuels Happiness and Success
- Purpose and Worthiness Define Success
- Be Present in Small Successes
- Happiness Equals Life Satisfaction
- Seek Joy Over Happiness
- Fulfillment Through Meaningful Pursuits
Finding Courage to Begin Again
I swear, it’s all about the journey. There are potholes that throw you off course, moments when your heart soars, and others when it feels ripped from your chest, leaving you certain you won’t recover. But then, the dust settles, you find your footing, and you’re back out there—because to me, that’s what success and happiness are: finding the courage to begin again.
Amy Lyle
Author, Magazine Contributor, Podcaster, Tedx Speaker
Pursue Passion Over Wealth
Success and happiness come from doing something you love while earning a decent living from it. While you may not become extremely wealthy, pursuing your passion is far more important. Many people make good money but are miserable, and that isn’t true success; it’s a sacrifice. Finding fulfillment in what you do is essential for a happy and rewarding life.
AL Tran
Blogger, Author, AI Trainer, DS Inspire
Align Life with Values and Purpose
To me, success means living in alignment with my values and purpose, rather than chasing external validation or comparing myself to others. It’s about feeling fulfilled in what I do, knowing that I’m making a positive impact while staying true to who I am.
Happiness, on the other hand, comes from inner peace and contentment—being present in the moment and feeling gratitude for where I am, rather than constantly striving for the next thing.
The two are deeply interconnected because success, in my view, is not about beating someone else or reaching some arbitrary milestone. It’s about growth, balance, and staying at peace with myself.
When I stopped competing with others and started focusing on my own journey, I found both success and happiness working together. True success brings a sense of inner calm, and that peace creates space for genuine happiness to flourish.
Chinyelu Karibi-Whyte
Self-Esteem & Resilience Advocate, Pheel Pretty
Growth and Fulfillment Define Success
Success and happiness, for me, are like two sides of the same coin—shaping each other. Personally, success isn’t a singular destination; it’s the ongoing journey of growth and fulfillment. It’s about tackling challenges that stretch me and witnessing the positive impact of my work. Happiness is that fleeting sense of serene inner peace that never lasts, but while I have it, I try to enjoy it.
This philosophy came alive outside of work in my career. I was leading a marketing campaign for a non-profit focused on dog adoption. The initial goal—increasing website traffic—felt like a standard metric. But when I saw a surge in adoption sign-ups, a wave of happiness washed over me. The success of the campaign wasn’t just about numbers; it was about bringing a positive change, and that intrinsic motivation fueled a deeper sense of accomplishment.
This experience cemented the link between success and happiness in my life. When my work contributes to something meaningful, the satisfaction goes beyond external validation.
Abhishek Joshi
Digital Marketer, Dog with Blog
Helping Others Grow Brings Fulfillment
Success and happiness are deeply interconnected for me, but my definition of success has evolved over time. When I was younger, I saw success in more traditional terms—personal achievements, reaching milestones, or attaining certain goals. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that true success is less about what I accomplish for myself and more about the positive impact I can have on others.
Now, success means helping others grow, seeing them gain value from working with me, and watching them succeed in their own endeavors. There’s a unique joy and sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing you’ve contributed to someone else’s journey. In that way, my happiness is closely tied to seeing others thrive. Their success feels like a reflection of my own, and that’s where I find the deepest sense of achievement.
Nina Mace
Family Photographer, Nina Mace Photography
Success is a State of Mind
Successful people never need to be told they are successful. Success is a state of mind, not a trophy to acquire. It’s not something people set out to achieve or become. The most successful people aren’t out there making noise about their success; they are living purpose-driven, meaningful lives that provide joy, not just to themselves but to others, too. Successful people aren’t working for success. These are the people who make others happy simply by being who they are.
Many successful businesspeople may not be successful in other areas of life because they aren’t truly happy. Their success lies in their accomplishments, goals, and awards. They need to be recognized as successful in order to feel successful.
The happiest people are more successful, regardless of their status in the workplace or the world. These are the people who can light up a room, even if they are in tattered clothing. The expression “Clothes make the man” is only half true. The reason behind dress codes is to manage behaviors and this works—to a point. Society changes its rules and successful people change their perceptions of what success means, including how we dress and whether or not we are happy in our own skin more than if we are happy in a particular outfit.
When a person thinks success brings happiness, that person will forever be chasing an elusive dream, striving to always be more, do more, own more, achieve more, be recognized for more. The person who believes that being happy is its own measure of success and understands that each individual is responsible for individual happiness is extremely successful because this person constantly and successfully achieves goals the success chasers overlook.
I waited until I was old enough to retire to feel successful in life. That’s when I published my first book and founded a charity. My books did not make me successful. My charity work does not make me successful. That comes from the happiness I feel inside because I chose to be happy despite many things in life that could have had me crying instead. My work as a writer and a volunteer isn’t what makes me happy or successful. Rather it’s the combination of working at what I love and being around others who also love the same things that makes me believe I am a successful human being.
We don’t need to dress for success. We are success. We don’t need to win awards to feel successful. Because that happiness is already there, the success comes along for the ride.
Mary Brotherton
Executive Editor, bUneke
Interconnectedness of Success and Happiness
My definition of success and happiness has evolved over the years. I used to think success was monetary and based on what I had achieved professionally. I thought happiness was an aspirational idea that was fleeting—here for a minute, and gone the next. Now I believe success and happiness are interconnected—if you are successful at something, it’s likely it is making you happy. If you are happy, it may be because you’re feeling you’ve been successful at doing something.
I see happiness as a generalized state of mind, not measured by small accomplishments. I am happier now in my later years than I was when I was younger. I pay attention to the moments that go well, to the connections I have in my life. Being the right weight or having a better job title are external measurements of happiness and of success. I no longer rely on those to feel contentment, I am happy to say!
Ellen Rothstein
Life Transition Coach, Ellen Rothstein Coaching
Live Aligned with Values
Success and happiness are two of the most sought-after goals, but many of us chase one at the expense of the other. For years, I believed that achieving external success—wealth, status, and societal milestones—would naturally lead to happiness. I worked hard, checked all the boxes, but deep down, I felt empty and disconnected. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I understood how intertwined success and happiness truly are.
I realized that real success isn’t about external accolades. It’s about living a life aligned with your values, nurturing your well-being, and showing up authentically, no matter what the world expects of you. Happiness, I found, isn’t something you gain once you’ve “made it.” It’s something you cultivate within yourself—through self-compassion, gratitude, and prioritizing what really matters in life.
For me, success is not measured by financial achievements or status but by how closely my life reflects my values. It’s about doing work that brings meaning, nurturing relationships that support me, and growing emotionally and spiritually. Success means staying true to myself and living with integrity, not just achieving what society deems important.
Happiness, on the other hand, comes from the small, intentional choices I make every day to care for my mental and emotional well-being. It’s about practicing gratitude, being present, and finding joy in the moments that matter. It’s an inner state, something we create through our attitudes and habits, not something tied to material gains.
The turning point for me was realizing that success and happiness are inseparable. When I pursued success without considering my happiness, I felt drained and unfulfilled. But when I began prioritizing my happiness—my mental health, my relationships, and my sense of purpose—I found that success naturally followed.
Success and happiness are interconnected because both stem from living in alignment with who you truly are. When you pursue goals that reflect your authentic self, happiness becomes a natural byproduct. And when you focus on cultivating happiness, you lay the foundation for lasting success. True fulfillment is about building a life that feels good from the inside out, where both success and happiness coexist, rooted in your values and your unique path forward.
Jason Hopcus
Founder/CEO, Connection Project, LTD
Meaningful Work Brings Happiness
My definition of success has changed a lot. Instead of looking at finish lines—numbers, job titles, houses or cars, or a level of public profile—I factor in things like whether I get to do work that at least sometimes lets me feel like I made a genuine difference in the lives of other people. Success to me is about working with people I respect and admire, for people I want to help succeed.
To me, growth for growth’s sake is meaningless, but profitable growth with interesting clients, solving important problems, is what keeps me engaged and excited. It’s about the ability to spend time with people I love and care about. Creating an environment where your employees and clients/customers feel valued and appreciated makes me feel proud that I have built a successful business.
Happiness is when you align your time, actions, and relationships to your purpose and values. For me, happiness leads to success, not the other way around.
Paige Arnof-Fenn
Founder & CEO, Mavens & Moguls
Passion Fuels Happiness and Success
To me, success and happiness are deeply interconnected and stem from living with “passion and purpose.” I’ve faced numerous challenges in my life, including a life-changing moment when I nearly lost my life 12 years ago. That experience taught me that true happiness doesn’t come from chasing external achievements but from pursuing what you genuinely believe in and care about.
Passion fuels happiness, and success follows naturally when you dedicate yourself to something you believe in. I am incredibly passionate about the travel industry. I’ve built my career on the values that matter to me—creating memorable experiences, helping others see the world, and sharing my love for exploration. Because of this, I wake up each day feeling fulfilled, which brings me happiness far exceeding any financial gain. Success is not just about personal accomplishments but positively impacting those around me, whether it’s my clients, my family, or my team.
When you pursue your passion, happiness flows from the journey, not just the outcome. “Happiness fuels success, and success deepens happiness,” creating a cycle that enriches your life and the lives of those around you. I believe that if more people shifted their focus from trying to find happiness to simply living their passions, they’d find themselves on a rewarding path to success.
The connection between happiness and success is not just personal; it’s also contagious. When you’re fulfilled, your happiness naturally radiates, uplifting those around you and inspiring others to follow their passions, too. Living passionately creates a ripple effect that goes far beyond individual success, helping build a community that thrives on purpose and meaning.
Tammy Levent
Founder & CEO, Elite Travel Management Group, Inc.
Purpose and Worthiness Define Success
I think success, which is interconnected to happiness, is the ultimate goal in life, whether it’s at work or with your most important relationships. For me, striving for success gives me a sense of purpose and contribution, and happiness brings me joy, a feeling of being alive in this world, and a sense of worth. Combined, success is something I feel, not something I achieve; purpose + worthiness = success.
When I understood what key internal needs brought me joy and sorted them in order of importance to me, I could focus and apply them to my business success. Examples of internal needs include relatedness, feeling unique, connection/love, and growth. I’m a photographer who specializes in corporate headshots. On the outside, that might not seem to contribute much to this world, but I see it very differently.
I have come to the conclusion that my greatest internal purpose is to make people feel great about themselves, to help people see their worth, feel more confident in themselves, and then be willing to put themselves out there more and succeed. Because I get a lot of joy in doing this, I naturally succeed every day I photograph people. It’s a win-win-win!
Glynns Thomas
Owner/Photographer, Glynns Thomas Headshots
Be Present in Small Successes
Success means achieving small goals and little goals, both professionally and personally. Happiness, for me, comes from being present in the successes and not comparing them to what success looks like for other people. Happiness is, of course, tied to success, but happiness can’t be dependent on success because sometimes I fail, and it’s an opportunity to try another path.
Emily Cornell
Corporate Communications Manager, Arcadis
Happiness Equals Life Satisfaction
The short answer: you are successful if you are happy with the life story you are living.
Success can change in how it looks throughout your life, but not in how it feels to you.
What felt like success earlier in your life and career might feel really bad later on when you have different life priorities.
Happiness can coexist with unpleasant emotions like sadness, grief, and even anger.
For example, if you are generally pleased with your life as a baseline state of being, then you can be happy even when experiencing moments of anger, sadness, disappointment, etc.
Happiness with your life as a whole experience is success.
So, what is happiness?
Happiness is a combination of these key factors:
- Knowing and liking who you really are on the inside, beyond other people’s expectations or labels for you.
- Feeling accepted (seen + heard + valued = accepted) as the human being you are, not because of what you “do.”
- Feeling that you contribute to something meaningful beyond yourself.
When those key factors are all in congruence, you get to experience a sense of fulfillment and meaning for the life you live and the work you do. That’s happiness.
This is why happiness can coexist with unpleasant experiences like an adverse event, grieving a loved one, losing a job, etc. You can go through unhappy circumstances but still remain in a state of feeling happy with your life overall.
When you feel happy with your life, that is the very measure of success.
Lindsey Kee
Women’s Personal Development Coach, Lindsey Kee Coaching LLC
Seek Joy Over Happiness
Success and happiness are interwoven in a thread that is often pursued, yet seldom attained. This tragedy arises because these “wants” miss what is truly important to the soul. Success and happiness are outward-facing measures of accomplishments and are, thus, both elusive and ephemeral. Both require the seeker to wait, leading to unease, doubt, and dismay.
A better pursuit can be found in seeking joy over happiness, as the actor Matthew McConaughey espouses. Joy is the immediate satisfaction one receives from the act of doing. Joy does not require the pursuer to wait or relinquish their power of attainment to an outside force. With joy, no other party holds the keys to approval and permission. Think back to when you were engrossed in the bliss of doing something meaningful, and you will readily agree with this assertion. Joy can neither be given nor taken, as it is the soul’s birthright.
As a software developer and now an entrepreneur, I am constantly learning and relearning this lesson of finding joy in creating something out of nothing.
Michael Sealy
Founder, Cassavarose LLC
Fulfillment Through Meaningful Pursuits
Success isn’t just about achieving external milestones—it’s about living in alignment with my values and creating a life that feels fulfilling. Happiness comes from pursuing the things that light me up, whether it’s helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses or having the flexibility to spend time with loved ones. When I feel balanced and true to myself, success follows naturally. It’s not about hustling for happiness but about creating a life that feels meaningful along the way.
Katie Carson
Owner/CEO, Feral Flora Consulting
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “What does success and happiness mean to you personally and how they are interconnected?”
