The Many Faces of Success: A Holistic Look at What It Really Means to Live a Successful Life

Success. It’s a word that carries weight, evokes aspiration, and sparks debate. For some, success is a number in a bank account. For others, it’s a sense of peace when their head hits the pillow. It’s a word so common that we assume we know what it means—until we stop to truly define it for ourselves.

In this article, we’ll explore seven meaningful and deeply personal definitions of success:

1. Financial Health

2. Spiritual Fulfillment

3. Physical Vitality

4. Emotional and Mental Wellness

5. Family Relationships

6. Friendships and Social Connection

7. Purpose and Legacy

Each of these aspects contributes to a holistic view of a life well-lived. Let’s dive deeper into what success really looks like in each of these areas.

1. Financial Health: Stability, Stewardship, and Freedom

Definition: Financial success is not just about wealth accumulation; it’s about financial peace, freedom, and the ability to make choices that align with your values.

Example: A person who has no debt, lives within their means, contributes to savings and retirement, and has the margin to give generously is financially successful—even if they don’t own a yacht or a mansion.

Reflection: For many, financial health is the gateway to other forms of success. It allows you to provide for your family, pursue passions, take time off, and contribute to causes you believe in. Importantly, it’s not about being rich—it’s about being free. A retired couple who worked hard, avoided consumer debt, and now travel modestly in their RV may be far more financially successful than a high-income executive drowning in obligations and stress.

Questions to Consider:

• Can I handle a $1,000 emergency without going into debt?

• Do I know where my money goes each month?

• Does my spending align with my values?

2. Spiritual Fulfillment: Peace, Purpose, and Connection to Something Greater

Definition: Spiritual success means living in alignment with your core beliefs, being at peace with yourself and your Creator (however you define that), and living a life of purpose.

Example: A person who takes time daily for prayer or meditation, who feels a sense of calling in their life, and who lives with integrity even when no one is watching—this person is spiritually successful.

Reflection: Spiritual health is often overlooked in our fast-paced, productivity-driven society. Yet those who report the greatest sense of inner peace often have a strong spiritual foundation. This could come from religious practice, time in nature, serving others, or simply cultivating a habit of gratitude and mindfulness. It’s the anchor in the storm, the compass that guides decisions when the path is unclear.

Questions to Consider:

• Do I feel at peace with the life I’m living?

• Am I connected to something larger than myself?

• Do I make time to reflect, pray, or pursue spiritual growth?

3. Physical Vitality: Health, Energy, and Longevity

Definition: Physical success means maintaining a body that supports your life’s activities, goals, and passions. It’s about energy, strength, and sustainable habits.

Example: Someone who walks daily, eats mostly whole foods, gets regular check-ups, and has the stamina to play with grandkids or hike a favorite trail is physically successful—even if they never run a marathon.

Reflection: Physical health enables everything else. Without it, financial success becomes irrelevant, and even meaningful relationships can be harder to enjoy. But physical vitality isn’t about six-pack abs or running ultra-marathons. It’s about feeling good in your own skin, preventing illness, and having the energy to live fully. Success in this area often comes from small, daily choices made consistently over time.

Questions to Consider:

• Do I feel rested and energized most days?

• Am I fueling my body with food that supports my health?

• Do I move my body in ways that feel good and sustainable?

4. Emotional and Mental Wellness: Clarity, Resilience, and Joy

Definition: Emotional success is the ability to experience a wide range of feelings, cope with life’s challenges, and find joy and meaning even during difficult seasons.

Example: Someone who has developed healthy coping mechanisms, seeks help when needed, and maintains a generally positive outlook—despite external stressors—is emotionally successful.

Reflection: Mental wellness is the quiet, often invisible success that underpins every other area of life. A person might look successful on the outside but be battling anxiety, depression, or burnout. Emotional resilience—our ability to bounce back from setbacks—is a true marker of success. Cultivating it might involve therapy, journaling, mindfulness practices, or simply giving yourself permission to feel deeply and heal slowly.

Questions to Consider:

• Do I recognize and process my emotions in healthy ways?

• Am I mentally resilient when life doesn’t go as planned?

• Do I know when and how to seek support?

5. Family Relationships: Love, Respect, and Shared History

Definition: Success in family life is measured not in perfect harmony, but in deep love, respect, and a willingness to show up for one another through life’s changes.

Example: A parent who builds trust with their children, maintains a loving partnership, and honors their aging parents is successful in family life.

Reflection: Family relationships are some of the most enduring, meaningful parts of life. Success here looks different for everyone—it could be mending a broken relationship, prioritizing time with loved ones, or setting healthy boundaries. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up. For some, creating a family of choice—deep friendships that feel like family—can be just as meaningful.

Questions to Consider:

• Do I prioritize time with my family?

• Do we have open, honest communication?

• Are we growing together rather than drifting apart?

6. Friendships and Social Connection: Community, Belonging, and Support

Definition: Social success is found in meaningful friendships, strong communities, and the experience of mutual care and belonging.

Example: A person who nurtures a few deep friendships, shows up for others in times of need, and feels seen and supported in their community is socially successful.

Reflection: We are hardwired for connection. Loneliness has been shown to be as harmful to health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Having even one or two close friends who understand you deeply can make all the difference. True success in this area means being the kind of friend you want to have—and being open to letting others in.

Questions to Consider:

• Do I have people I can call in a crisis?

• Do I regularly make time for friendship?

• Do I feel truly known and accepted by others?

7. Purpose and Legacy: Meaning, Impact, and a Life Well-Lived

Definition: Success in purpose is about knowing your “why,” living it daily, and leaving a positive impact on others—no matter your career, income, or title.

Example: A retired teacher who still tutors kids for free, volunteers at a local food shelf, and inspires her grandchildren to be kind and curious is living a life of purpose and legacy.

Reflection: We all want to matter. Purpose can be found in work, family, faith, service, creativity, or simply the way we move through the world. It’s not about fame—it’s about meaning. Legacy isn’t just what we leave behind when we’re gone—it’s how we live today. Do we inspire, uplift, and encourage others? Do we live intentionally and align our daily actions with what we truly care about?

Questions to Consider:

• Do I feel that my life matters and has meaning?

• Am I making an impact in the lives of others?

• What do I want to be remembered for?

Conclusion: Redefining Success—On Your Terms

True success is never one-size-fits-all. It is multidimensional, deeply personal, and ever-evolving. The trap lies in chasing someone else’s definition without pausing to define your own.

You might be financially wealthy but spiritually bankrupt. Or perhaps your health is failing, but you’re surrounded by love and purpose. Life has seasons—and so does success. What matters most is alignment: are you living in a way that honors your values, nurtures your soul, and contributes to the world?

Here’s what success might look like in your real life:

• Taking a walk each morning and thanking God for the day.

• Sitting down to dinner with family and laughing over shared stories.

• Saying “no” to hustle culture so you can say “yes” to a loved one in need.

• Giving anonymously to someone who’ll never know your name.

• Planting a garden, mentoring a teen, finishing a puzzle, or writing a book.

All of it matters. All of it is success.

So take a moment today. Reflect on your life not just through the lens of your achievements, but through the lens of your relationships, your resilience, your inner peace, and the joy you bring to others. Define success for yourself. Then live that definition boldly, joyfully, and without apology.