Hello dear friends,
What did you spend your time doing this past week? Did you do one thing to help you avoid burnout this week? If you missed the post, check out the Cost of Hustle Culture in our lives.
I consider this week good because I managed to get an afternoon nap I needed badly—you know, that sleep that hits the spot. I had slept poorly so many nights, and I needed a catch-up.
Redefining Success Beyond the Hustle
Life is busy but we must know when we can take a break and not manufacture reasons not to take it. I have been reflecting on “what is enough?” recently and how we will know when we have gotten to the “enough”. When did our definition of success become unlimited in the pursuit of material things, fueled by constant hustle, sacrifice of loved ones, material achievements, and external validation?
This mindset is rooted in consumerism and the pressure to always be productive. It can leave many of us feeling drained, unfulfilled, and disconnected from our true selves and the things we really love and would rather be doing.
This is not a chastisement or blame post because it affects everyone everywhere. It is the world we live in, we created and we will hopefully not leave for our children. The media supplies an endless barrage of impractical untouchable things that fuel our insecurities and our unmet needs. They drive our greed and most basic personality weaknesses. All I am asking is for us to make the decision to work harder, buy bigger, go for more etc more mindfully.
Pause and give it a thought, ask where, why, and how, what is the cost I can’t see.
But what if success wasn’t about how much we do or acquire? What if it was about living with purpose, peace, and well-being?
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to redefine success beyond the hustle culture and focus on aligning your life with your personal values and mental health.
What are you top 5 values? What matters to you? Are you living according to them? Or have you been pulled far from them?
The Trap of Hustle Culture and Consumerism
Hustle culture encourages the idea that working harder, longer, and faster is the only way to achieve success. It glorifies busyness, equating it with ambition and value. Coupled with consumerism—the belief that acquiring more material wealth defines achievement—many people find themselves chasing after goals that don’t bring lasting fulfillment.
The problem with this mindset is that it often leads to burnout, stress, and even anxiety as we push ourselves to meet societal expectations. The result?
A growing disconnect between what we truly value and the life we’re living. If your idea of success is rooted only in material achievement, you’re likely neglecting the most important aspect of well-being: your mental and emotional health, your purpose, and your core values
Try out these values exercises to find out your personal values.
Redefining Success
One advantage of being alive in these times is the choices we have, we have so many choices!
We can actually choose to start today to reframe how we think about success. True success isn’t about how much we produce or acquire—it’s about living a life that reflects our values, brings us inner peace, and supports our well-being.
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If like me you remember those relatives who left the city life and moved to the village to live more simply, and you are now an adult getting sucked into a rat race you didn’t sign up for, you get it now.
That bigger house is nice but it also comes with a bigger overhead cost of living and maintenance, calculate the cost before you dive in just because you can afford it.
The cost to your finances, your relationship, your children, your dreams and aspirations for your family etc. all of a sudden you now have enough space in the family home and you don’t see your children anymore, they are in the east wing. Hahahahah. I joke but you get it.
Some of us take the bigger job, which means we travel more and miss out on our romantic relationships growing positively. There is a time for everything, just count the cost.
Here’s how you can begin to redefine success for yourself:
- Align with Your Values
Instead of focusing on external measures of success, start by identifying what truly matters to you. Is it family, personal growth, creativity, or contributing to your community? Once you’re clear on your core values, you can start setting goals that align with them.
Success becomes less about what society expects and more about living a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. A huge part of the pressure here will be from people who feel they are stuck and will be surprised at your ability to be unstuck and they will be quite discouraging of your decisions.
Bear in mind, this is your life, not theirs, they don’t have to agree with your decisions, you probably don’t have similar values or they haven’t realized what’s important to them yet. Keep doing you. - Prioritize Mental Health and Well-Being
Your well-being should never come second to your achievements. While hustle culture may encourage constant productivity, prioritizing your mental health is essential for long-term success.
This means setting boundaries, taking time for self-care, and making space for rest, reflection, planning and action. When you feel good mentally and emotionally, you’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges and stay focused on what truly matters. - Find Purpose Over Productivity
Success is often associated with how much we can get done in a day, but focusing on purpose rather than productivity can be far more fulfilling. Ask yourself: What impact do i want to have in the world today? How do i want to contribute to my community or family?
Finding meaning in your work and life will bring deeper satisfaction than simply crossing tasks off a to-do list. Check out the definition of meaningful work here.
- Let Go of Comparison
One of the traps of hustle culture and consumerism is the constant comparison to others. Whether it’s a colleague with a high-paying job or a friend with a flashy car, it’s easy to measure your worth against someone else’s achievements.
But comparison is the thief of joy. Instead, focus on your own path, and remember that success looks different for everyone. Celebrate your unique journey and the progress you’re making, however small it may seem. Buy/Bake that cake on a random day, don’t wait for your birthday, you are now an adult. Hehehehehe - Embrace Balance
Life is about more than work. Embracing balance in all areas of life—work, relationships, hobbies, and self-care—ensures that you’re nurturing all aspects of yourself.
When you make time for the things that bring you joy, fulfillment, and rest, you’re not only more productive but also happier. Remember, success doesn’t have to be synonymous with exhaustion. It can be found in the quiet moments, too. Balance is controversial, do it how you best feel comfortable to.
Practical Steps to Redefine Your Success
- Reflect on Your Goals: Take time to evaluate your current goals and ask yourself if they align with your values. Are you pursuing them because they truly matter to you, or because you feel pressured by external expectations?
I am a fan of visual aids for learning, writing things down and seeing them and check in with them quarterly. Goal/Actions/Who is involved/How to get there/What can stop me/Time needed/Daily Actions. Colour it and do anything you can to keep it in front of you. - Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that don’t serve your purpose or well-being. Boundaries protect your time and energy, ensuring that you can focus on what matters most. Say more powerful yeses.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Success doesn’t always come in big, grand moments. Celebrate the small victories along the way, whether it’s taking time for self-care or achieving a personal goal.
Recognizing these moments reinforces the idea that success is a journey, not a destination. Remember my nap was my success thing today. - Practice Gratitude: Shifting your mindset from “what’s next” to “what do i have now” can help you appreciate the present moment. Gratitude reduces the pressure to constantly achieve more and allows you to enjoy life as it is. A grateful heart is beautiful to behold.
Mental Health: The Foundation of True Success
Mental health is often overlooked in the pursuit of success, but it should be at the heart of how we define achievement. It is not a fad, or for lazy people, it is something that has been ignored for so long, it is how we dismantle capitalism and become more humane in our world. Compassion is not weakness, it is infact a strength. Start with your teams at work, show compassion, show how it can foster stronger more reliable communities.
No matter how much we accomplish, it’s meaningless if we’re overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out. Prioritizing mental health and well-being, is how we create a foundation for sustainable success—one that feels fulfilling and rewarding in the long term.
It’s essential to remind ourselves and others that true success lies in living authentically, taking care of our mental and emotional well-being, and embracing a sense of purpose.
Final Thoughts
Redefining success beyond the hustle and consumer-driven mentality is not only necessary for mental health but also for long-lasting fulfillment. When you focus on your values, prioritize well-being, and embrace purpose over productivity, you can create a version of success that’s sustainable and enriching.
It’s time to let go of society’s narrow definitions of success and embrace a new approach—one that honors your unique journey, prioritizes mental health, and aligns with your true purpose. Success isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you feel and how your life aligns with your most authentic self.
Until next time, stay authentic,
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
2 Cor 3:2(MSG)
You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
