Redefining Success
Forging Your Own Path
What does success really look like? For years, we’ve been fed a formula: good grades, a stable job, a steady climb up the corporate ladder, and, if all goes well, a sweet retirement setup. But the bold and beautifully brashy Gen Z – the generation born into a world of TikTok trends, climate change, and economic upheaval – are rightly flipping the script. For them, success isn’t about ticking off milestones dictated by society; it’s about crafting a life that feels meaningful, authentic, and fulfilling… and I’m here for it!
Breaking Free from the Rat Race
Traditional success metrics, such as a six-figure salary or a fancy job title, just doesn’t hit the same. Instead, prioritising balance, purpose, and impact is the way to go. A global Deloitte survey found that 49% of Gen Zers prioritise mental health and well-being over career advancement, a stark departure from previous generations.
Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO, captures this shift beautifully: "Success isn’t about how much money you make or how busy you are. It’s about finding a way to do what you love, while being healthy and happy in the process." The hustle culture glorified by earlier generations has lost its appeal. It’s all about working smarter – not harder – while leaving time for personal growth and connection.
The Rise of Purpose-Driven Careers
For many folks, fulfilment is tied to purpose. We really want to give a shit about work! Work has to mean something and has to matter. Not just for ourselves but for the world around us. It’s why so many younger professionals gravitate toward roles in sustainability, social impact, and technology that drives change. Their focus isn’t solely on profit; it’s on creating a better future.
Greta Thunberg, has shown how one person’s passion can spark a movement. She once said, "You are never too small to make a difference." This belief resonates deeply as an approach to success: wanting our lives to reflect our values, whether that means advocating for the planet, building ethical businesses, or simply choosing workplaces that align with our ideals, should be standard.
Success as Personal Fulfilment
We need to disrupt the idea that success must be outwardly visible. In a world dominated by social media, where curated feeds create wild pressure to appear "successful," many are turning inward to redefine what success feels like rather than looks like.
Mel Robbins, motivational speaker and author, puts it simply: "Fulfilment is the real measure of success. It’s not about what you achieve; it’s about how you feel while achieving it." Success might mean leaving a corporate job to freelance from a beach hut in Bali, pursuing an unconventional creative path, or even prioritising relationships and hobbies over career milestones.
Redefining Wealth and Work
Traditional notions of wealth – a big house, luxury cars, and a growing bank balance – are being reimagined. Financial security still matters of course, but it’s not the ultimate goal. Instead, we could explore how wealth can buy freedom, not things. Experiences, flexibility, and time are their new currencies.
Digital creators like Emma Chamberlain embody this ethos. Despite her massive success on YouTube, she often speaks about the importance of authenticity and living on her own terms. “I don’t want to live a life that’s perfect on paper. I want to live a life that’s real,” she once shared. Success isn’t about meeting societal expectations; it’s about meeting our own.
Lessons for the Rest of Us
What can older generations learn from the redefinition of success? First, that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person might not work for another – and that’s ok. Second, that success is fluid, evolving with our values, priorities, and circumstances. And finally, that true success lies in alignment – between who we are, what we do, and what we believe.
It’s possible to work hard without sacrificing mental health, to seek purpose without losing sight of practicality, and to live authentically in a world that constantly pushes conformity. In doing so, we’re not just redefining success; we’re redefining what it means to truly live.