What is Your Definition of Success?

For a couple of weeks now I’ve been grappling with what success looks like, what success means to different people. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines success as a favourable or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favour or eminence. I was not satisfied by this definition because I felt that it was not an inclusive enough definition. It was too broad and too narrow at the same time. I like picking people’s brains, and I am blessed to be surrounded by sisters who continue to add value to my life. So I picked four beautiful minds in an attempt  to get a better picture of this success thing. Featured on today’s blog is my beautiful and awesome sister, Refiloe Mathibe. My best friend of 13 years, Kearabilwe Mollik. My sister from another mister, Shaana Muro. And my homie with the brightest smile, Beauty Ngcobo.

These are the questions that I asked them, and this is what they had to say:

  • What's your definition of success? What's success to you?
  • How do you not confuse other people's way of attaining success with the way you're supposed to do it? Seeing as people have different definitions for success

     Refiloe

Honestly I don't know. I just always thought I'd feel successful if I was happy and positive about my life. As long as I'm not giving up on my dreams.

Money is important, very important but I don't think I'd consider myself successful if I was rich. Success is tied to emotional and psychological well-being. And to feeling a fulfillment spiritually.

The way you're supposed to attain it comes more naturally to you than the way they do. I think that's the mistake we make, thinking we're supposed to do as others do instead of focusing on what feels right to you. It might be unorthodox or weird to some people when you do it your way but the fact that you would've listened to yourself will bring more pleasing results to what you're trying to achieve.

   Kearabilwe

Honestly I haven't really thought about it until you asked me. I think it's always been that thing that when I'm financially stable, got my own house and car.  And I'm able to maintain the things I have but as I was thinking I've realized how I thought of how I've placed things/possessions next to success.

Success would definitely be me reaching my full potential. In every aspect. If I wake up every day and push myself to be better than I was the previous day then I'll say that I'm successful. In my job, marriage etc. Even in my spiritual life

It's a struggle. I constantly have to remind myself to stay in my own lane. To keep in mind that we’re not the same and we have different ways of doing things. Comparison robs. That much I've learned.

   Shaana

Success= my accomplishments

It is when I have accomplished my goals/dreams/ ambitions and most of all my purpose while learning from the mistakes I've made along the way. To me success can be broken down into different categories i.e. achieve my goals that I have been working on for quite some time. Also, learning from my past failures is a huge accomplishment to me so I consider that success.

To live a purpose driven life. To me achieving your goals that are not in line with the will of God for your life is not really success but a waste of good time you could be using to accomplish those that are. Success = efficiency in your accomplishments.

It's been a difficult time, because people use other people's benchmarks for their success. So it's been a journey with God where He has grown me and matured me, to the point where I've made my own benchmarks. For example, 80% of females want to be married by age 25. God's not done with me yet, in that sense. I accomplish things in God's timing. If I use other people's benchmarks for my success I tend to lose and I've learned that the hard way. Experience, exposure, talking to God, and creating my own benchmarks with Him. It's allowed me to define success in God's eyes.

   Beauty

Success is living in purpose

Everyone needs to be fully persuaded and fully convinced about what their definition of success is. That's the starting point. And then after you've grappled with the different ideologies of success, and also what you think the biblical and Godly definition of success is then I start living my life in a way that is aligned to that. I think that if you're walking in God, with God, that is success. So it's not "I'm going to start an orphanage," but being with God....that is success.

Well, there you have it! Success and the way to accomplish it as defined by our four lovely ladies. Next week I will be writing on success from my perspective and the different ways in which I believe I have been called to succeed. Leave a comment below on your definition of success and how you are going about attaining that success. 


I am an Occupational Therapist by profession, but I have many roles that bring meaning to my life. In short, I love people, books and love.

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