What if the first step to unlocking your success was recognizing the success you already have?

As a leadership and success expert, I’m often asked about the “keys to success.” My answer always begins with this: “Before changing, adding, or subtracting anything, take time to appreciate.”

Success isn’t just about money, job titles, or accolades. While those can be milestones, true success is broader. It’s about the life you’re living, the values you embody, and the person you’re becoming.

When viewed holistically, success demands resilience, confidence, and mental strength — qualities I explore in my book, The Mentally Strong Leader. By reflecting on the right questions, you might realize you’re more successful than you think. If you can say “yes” to the following six questions, you’re already succeeding in ways that matter most.

1. Are You Living Your Values?

Your values shape your identity, and living them daily is a sign of true success. It’s not always easy. For example, if kindness is one of your core values, do you consistently act kindly, even in challenging situations?

Living by your values requires clarity and discipline — traits that signify you’re centered and intentional. If you haven’t articulated your values yet, consider doing so. There’s an exercise in The Mentally Strong Leader to help you get started.

2. Are You Working On Your Life, Not Just In It?

It’s easy to get stuck in routines, habits, or systems that no longer serve you. Success involves stepping back to reflect:

• Are you envisioning the life you truly want?
• Are you assessing whether you’re heading in the right direction?

By working on your life, you can break free from unhelpful patterns and chart a course toward the person you want to become.

3. Do You Appreciate What You Already Have?

Happiness and success begin with gratitude. Yet it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like nothing is ever enough, always striving for the next achievement.

Successful people consistently focus on what they have and what they’ve already accomplished. Gratitude, more than ambition alone, is a hallmark of true success.

4. Do You Have a Growth Mindset?

Success doesn’t mean avoiding mistakes — it means learning from them.

• Do setbacks discourage you, or do they motivate you to adapt and grow?
• Are you embracing incremental improvements as part of the journey?

A growth mindset allows you to see mistakes as opportunities for progress, which is crucial for sustained success.

5. Are You Doing the Work to Be Ready for Opportunities?

True success isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about loving the process of getting there.

Often, success requires repetitive, unglamorous work. For example, aspiring professional speakers may dream of being on stage but overlook the research, rehearsal, and preparation required to excel.

As Ina Garten says in her memoir, “Be ready when the luck happens.” Falling in love with the process ensures you’ll be prepared when opportunity knocks.

6. Are You Pursuing Your Goals, Not Someone Else’s?

It’s easy to chase society’s definition of success instead of your own.

A friend once confided that she felt like a failure for not landing a promotion. But when asked what success truly meant to her, she realized it wasn’t the title — it was the opportunity to nurture and coach a team, something she was already achieving in her current role.

Defining success on your terms can reveal how much you’ve already accomplished.

Your Success, Your Way

Success is deeply personal. It’s not defined by external metrics but by how well you align with your values, appreciate your journey, and pursue meaningful goals.

Before you push for more, take a moment to reflect on how successful you already are. You might find you’re living a life far richer and more fulfilling than you ever realized.