Why The New Definition of Success Isn’t About Being Busy

The emergence of the modern internet has allowed for the exchange of all manner of strange perspectives on how we should be spending our time. According to some, what matters is how efficiently we’re wringing productivity from every spare minute of our day. Others put a clear emphasis on relaxation and mental ‘wellness’.

It’s fair to say that consensus is shifting toward the latter perspective. We’re looking for antidotes to burnout and rejecting the culture of constant hustle and long hours. We want to be happy and fulfilled – and while work can be a route toward those things, it can also be a major impediment.

Why Constant Busyness Is Losing Its Appeal

As human beings, we only have a finite amount of mental energy to spend. This can lead to a deterioration in the quality of work we produce at the end of a working week, when we’re feeling utterly depleted. You might notice that you’re at your most productive in the morning and shortly after your lunch break.

Leaning into these features of your psychology in the long run can lead to better outcomes. For example, you might seek to focus on one kind of work. Rather than taking on extra hours so that you have more money to spend on streaming services, iced lattes, and flashy jewellery, you might pick up a second-hand book and enjoy the extra time you now have in which to read it.

Measuring Success Through Freedom and Flexibility

It’s important to think about what success looks like. That way, you can evaluate the steps you’re taking and, if necessary, retrace them.

For example, you might want to spend more quality time with your children as they grow up. This might mean looking into a flexible work placement that will allow you to pick the kids up from school – even if making this change results in a loss of earning potential.

It’s important to factor into your calculation all of the extra freedom you’re likely to enjoy. If you can do your work from a laptop, then you’ll have greater scope to travel and to explore the country. Spending a little bit on a motorhome and motorhome insurance might equip you to live an entirely different and potentially more fulfilling kind of existence.

Prioritising Meaningful Experiences Over Status

If we’re honest, many of the things that we do are not about materially improving our own quality of life but signalling our worth to others. You might think about the purchase of an impressive-looking watch, which tells the time no more effectively than a very modest one.

In many cases, it’s experiences, rather than accumulated possessions, that contribute the most to our sense of personal fulfilment and wellbeing. Give yourself the supplies you need to thrive in a chosen hobby, and make sure that you spend at least a portion of your week exercising outdoors.

Creating a Success Definition That Works for You

Of course, what success really looks like might vary a great deal from one person to the next. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to set your goals down on paper and to occasionally reflect on them. That way, you’ll have a better understanding of your personal values and how your life reflects them. Armed with that knowledge, you’ll be able to make tweaks here and there and progress in increments toward the kind of life you’re really looking for.