Measure Success by Your Own Tape

The definition and experience of success are relative for most people. For some people, getting material possessions and all the pleasures of life at their fingertips is success for them, while for others, attaining one goal at a time, not really how big or great it is can be a success for them. For some others gaining recognition and accomplishment can be success to them.

I once had a friend while at the university, she was so intelligent, she did well academically and every other thing she did went well. At some point she started a small business on campus, where she sold jewelry to students, she was raking in sales all the time, although she used most of the proceeds to settle school issues as her parents weren't really financially buoyant.

I was very happy for my friend because she was really daring, she didn't mind if she started a business and after some time it failed, she was ready to start another one immediately after picking and dusting herself.

For me, I thought this was success in its entirety for her. The fact that she was achieving feet that girls her didn't even dare to try, how else can that be described?

But my dear friend never saw all of her achievements as a form of success, she was always lamenting how she never had enough money to buy hair, fancy clothes and those sorts of things. I always advised her to count her blessings, as for some persons where she currently is, is still a dream that they are planning on achieving.

For me, success is achieving my little goals as small as they might be, it is finding my feet and being able to stand on my own, it is breaking out of some limiting mindset and thoughts.

I remember some years ago when I started growing my natural hair, I began with making basic hairstyles, I had this mindset or more of popular opinion that some styles wouldn't go well with my natural hair as they would get rough too soon, so I stuck to making what we call Bob Marley hairstyle. This hairstyle involved using hair extensions to make single braids, this was believed to last longer compared to other feed-in braids so I stuck with it like my life depended on it.

Sometime last year, I decided to break out of that school of thought and started exploring other aesthetically pleasing hairstyles. The first time I made feed in braids after transitioning, I was skeptical that it wouldn't last long, but my expectation was exceeded as it lasted longer than I thought and still looked good.

After that incident, I got the courage to explore more styles. For me, conquering my fear and breaking free from the limiting thought pattern was a success.

The time I bought my first stock in the stock market after hearing some stuff about it being a vehicle for wealth creation, I was proud of myself, because I knew I was heading in the right direction, that for me was success because I knew how much I had to put away to be able to make that purchase.

What exactly does success mean to you, I would like to hear your views and opinions in the comment section. Thanks for stopping by ❤

All images are mine except otherwise stated