Rethinking Success: Beyond the Numbers and Likes

I’ve been in recovery post cancer surgery.

As stated previously, this is a time of reflection, pause and rebirth for me, as I contemplate my future steps in life and business.

I have been feeling better, slowly, and day after day I feel the urge to do… less and less of the hustling.

I feel that life has granted me a pause.

I sense that this pause is fundamental to my happiness and fulfilment.

And while I pause the doing…

The pondering, meditating and musing is going on full throttle.

I’ve been thinking. A lot. In the background.

While my body recovers and little by little mends and heals and gets back in shape, I’ve been feeling like a new person is getting birthed, "below" the surface.

I can feel how I need to acknowledge the need for self-love and grace during this transformative period.

And rest.

So much rest.

By the way, I wanted to remind you (and myself!!) that resting is a radical act of self-love in a world that glorifies exhaustion as an achievement…

Anyway…

Most of my musings have been around Success and Failure.

What they mean, to me, to the world in general…

And of course, I mean my world, Western civilization… which generally refers to the cultural, social, political, and economic systems that developed primarily in Europe and later expanded to other regions, influenced by principles from ancient Greece and Rome, Judeo-Christian ethics, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and democratic ideals.

I have no pretensions to understanding or philosophising about the world in general, which is far too vast and complex. I'm speaking from my biased point of view, the only one I can fully assume and understand, prejudices included.

So, once again, I’ve made up my mind to write a series of posts about that…

Success. And Failure.

Through the small end of my spyglass… From my very narrow perspective.

Which is the only one I have.

Title of the series: Finding Fulfilment and Freedom in Failure and Reinvention

And, as usual, I believe my reflections might come in handy for you too… Let me know.

This exploration of success and failure will be shared in four parts, all through December.

The first article is about the measurement of success… Which our world seems very obsessed with, if you ask me…

What does it really mean to be successful? Is it about wealth, recognition, or something deeper? Success, as defined by society, often revolves around measurable outcomes like money, social media validation, and productivity. But is that all there is to it

In this first part, we dive into how traditional measures of success—financial success and social media approval—may not paint the full picture. Yes, money matters, but it’s not the only metric. And while validation can be sweet, it’s not sustainable when it becomes the primary driver of our efforts.

We'll challenge the assumption that success is only about visible, countable achievements and explore how it might actually be more about feeling aligned with our own values.

Financial Success: More Than Just Money

When it comes to success, money is often the first thing that comes to mind. But, let’s be real—financials are not the whole story. While numbers like profit margins and revenue are great for tracking short-term success, they don’t tell us if we’re headed in the right direction.

Imagine running a marathon, only to realize you’re going the wrong way. Financial metrics can show us how far we’ve come, but not necessarily whether we're on the right path. If we solely chase profits, we may miss the bigger picture—things like customer satisfaction, innovation, and team happiness. These elements are crucial for long-term success, even if they don’t always show up on a balance sheet.

The point is, money talks, but it doesn’t always tell the whole story. A well-rounded strategy considers much more than just financial results. It asks: Are we creating something that truly adds value, not just for ourselves, but for the people we serve? Is the work we’re doing something that aligns with our mission and vision, or are we simply following the numbers?

Social Media Approval: The Validation Trap

As solo entrepreneurs, we’re all familiar with the dopamine rush of a social media “like” or a flattering comment. It feels good, right? But here’s the catch: seeking approval through social media validation is like chasing a fleeting high. We want the “likes,” the shares, and the comments, but what happens when those external validations become the main driver of our success?

The truth is, measuring success by our social media engagement is a slippery slope. It’s easy to get caught up in checking our notifications, feeling like our worth is tied to how many people approve of what we’re doing. But let’s be real—validation is sweet in the moment, but it doesn’t fuel long-term fulfillment.

What if we measured success differently? What if we focused on feeling proud of the work we do, whether or not anyone else notices? Real success isn’t about seeking applause. It’s about feeling aligned with your own values and knowing you’re creating something that matters to you. The applause, when it comes, is just a bonus.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore how personal growth, emotional fulfillment, and other alternative success indicators might offer a more holistic view of what it really means to succeed.

I believe that is all for today.
I would be so happy to hear from you.
Thank you in advance for your comment.
See you soon, for my next online adventures!
Until then I send you love, light and gratitude.
Isaya

PS: On a very practical way, I am focusing on my healing, so there is not much happening in my business world… I’ll be writing as usual, of course, and maybe creating some podcast episodes… but on the whole, I might be AFK (away from keyboard) for some time… I’ll keep you posted when something new happens! New projects are starting to brew!

I also do have less money coming in. One way to help and support me is to actually buy something from me!
You can find some of my Goddess Connected programs here:
https://isayabelle.com/the-magic-goddess-online-programs
or here: https://isayabelle.com/tech-goddess-academy-2

PPS: Please bear in mind that I am reclaiming my journey and that my solutions and my path are mine and mine only. They are not intended to be a guide or a list of advice, a handbook or manual or any kind, least of all medical. This is just me sharing my journey.