The Shift in Success: What 87% of People Value Most Today

In a recent LinkedIn poll, participants were asked to define success. The options provided were:

• Making lots of money (7%)
• Having a great career (7%)
• Living life as I choose (87%)

The overwhelming response—Living life as I choose—reveals a significant shift in how people perceive success today. Historically, success was often tied to external markers like wealth or career achievements. However, this poll highlights a broader, more personal definition: the freedom to live authentically and on one's own terms.

The Changing Definition of Success

Success has traditionally been equated with societal standards: climbing the corporate ladder, owning a big house, or accumulating wealth. These tangible milestones were easy to measure and display. Yet, in recent years, a growing number of people have begun to question this framework.

Cultural shifts, a rise in conversations around mental health, and the global impact of events like the COVID-19 pandemic have encouraged introspection. People are increasingly valuing time, well-being, and autonomy over external validation. For many, success is no longer about fitting into a predefined mold but rather creating a life that aligns with their values and passions.

Why Do We Still Measure Success by Money and Career?

Despite this shift, societal systems and narratives are slow to adapt. Money and career remain dominant metrics because they are:

1. Quantifiable: Financial success and career progression are easy to measure and compare.
2. Culturally reinforced: Society celebrates wealth and professional achievements through awards, media, and social platforms.
3. Tied to survival and security: Money provides access to resources, comfort, and opportunities.

Even when individuals desire a different path, they often feel the pressure to conform to these traditional metrics. This dissonance can create internal conflict, as people struggle between societal expectations and personal fulfillment.

What’s Stopping People from Living as They Want?

While 87% of poll participants desire to live life on their own terms, several barriers make this challenging:

1. Fear of Judgment: Many fear being perceived as unambitious or unsuccessful if they deviate from societal norms.
2. Financial Constraints: Autonomy often requires financial stability, which can feel out of reach for those burdened by debt or limited income.
3. Lack of Clarity: Some people are unsure of what "living as they choose" truly means for them. Without clear goals or passions, it’s easy to fall back on conventional measures of success.
4. Systemic Structures: Traditional education, corporate cultures, and societal systems are designed to reward conformity, not individuality. Breaking free often requires challenging deeply ingrained systems and beliefs.

The Way Forward: Redefining and Achieving Success

To align with this evolving definition of success, individuals and societies can take the following steps:

1. Normalize Diverse Definitions of Success: Celebrate achievements beyond money and careers, such as personal growth, meaningful relationships, or community contributions.
2. Focus on Intrinsic Goals: Encourage people to identify what brings them joy, fulfillment, and purpose. Success should reflect personal values, not external pressures.
3. Develop Financial Literacy: While money isn’t the ultimate goal, financial stability enables autonomy. Teaching financial management can empower individuals to pursue the life they want.
4. Foster Flexibility in Work: Employers can support this shift by offering flexible work arrangements, which allow employees to prioritize well-being and personal aspirations.

Staying Happy by Living as You Choose

Happiness stems from living authentically and aligning daily actions with personal values. Here are a few strategies:

• Set Clear Boundaries: Protect your time and energy for things that truly matter to you.
• Embrace Imperfection: Let go of the need to meet societal standards and focus on progress, not perfection.
• Cultivate Gratitude: Recognize and appreciate the freedoms and choices you have today.
• Surround Yourself with Support: Build a network of like-minded individuals who encourage and inspire your journey.

Conclusion

The poll results highlight a profound cultural shift: success is increasingly defined by the ability to live life authentically. While money and career still dominate societal narratives, individuals are challenging these norms and advocating for a more personal, fulfilling definition of success. By breaking down barriers, fostering self-awareness, and prioritizing intrinsic values, we can collectively move toward a future where success is as diverse and unique as the people defining it.

What does success mean to you? Are we ready to redefine it as a society? Share your thoughts and let us keep the conversation going as we inch closer to 2025.

#RedefiningSuccess #PersonalGrowth #LiveAuthentically #HappinessMatters #MindsetShift