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: Beyond the Metrics: 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.
This second article is digging deeper on the meaning of success…
If you're interested in exploring failure and rebirth, check out this post for instance: https://isayabelle.com/rethinking-success-beyond-metrics
Success isn’t just about financials or social media—it's about how we grow as individuals and how we impact the world around us. In this second part, we dive deeper into alternative success indicators—personal growth, emotional fulfillment, innovation, and the legacy we leave behind.
Personal Growth and Emotional Fulfillment
Not every measure of success can be seen on a balance sheet or captured in an Instagram post. Personal growth is one of the most rewarding and often overlooked indicators of success. It’s the satisfaction that comes from learning new skills, overcoming self-doubt, and becoming more resilient. This type of growth doesn’t always come with fanfare, but it’s the foundation of lasting success. When we invest in ourselves, we’re building a stronger version of who we are—someone capable of taking on challenges, bouncing back from setbacks, and continuing to evolve.
Emotional fulfillment is another crucial aspect. It’s about creating a life and business that bring joy and meaning—not just stress. We can hustle all we want, but if it doesn’t lead to a sense of peace or happiness, then what’s the point? True success here is being able to look in the mirror and see progress, even if it’s not always flashy. It’s about being proud of who we’ve become, not just what we’ve achieved.
Quality, Innovation, and Legacy
Let’s step away from the numbers and likes. True success often lies in the quality of what we create, the innovation we bring to the table, and the legacy we leave behind. It’s about the value we add to the world, not just the immediate rewards. Whether it's a groundbreaking idea, a revolutionary product, or even a simple piece of work we’re proud of, quality matters. Being innovative means stepping outside the box and offering something that stands the test of time—not just something that gets attention in the moment.
And legacy? It doesn’t just belong to big corporations or famous figures. It's about the lasting impact of our work—the difference it makes in the lives of others. The beauty of legacy is that it doesn't require fame. It’s about the ripple effect we create through our actions, decisions, and contributions. Whether we influence one person or a thousand, the work we do has the potential to leave a lasting imprint on the world.
Rethinking Failure as a Tool for Growth
Failure often feels like the opposite of success, but what if it’s actually a step forward? Every failure teaches us something, and using those lessons to improve is an essential part of the journey. Real success comes not from avoiding failure, but from learning how to bounce back stronger each time. Failure is not the end; it’s part of the growth process. In fact, it’s often the best teacher we’ll ever have. When we allow ourselves to embrace failure as an opportunity for learning, we begin to redefine what success really looks like.
Success, then, isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about using those mistakes to fuel growth and innovation. So, the next time you fail, remember: You’re not falling short of success. You’re learning how to create a more meaningful, fulfilling version of it.
And that’s a wrap on this two-part series! I hope this new definition of success helps you reflect on your journey and inspires you to measure success not just by financials or likes, but by the impact you make, the growth you achieve, and the legacy you leave behind. Next week I'll begin discussing failure... and how deep I lost myself in it!
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 support my journey by exploring transformational online programs designed to connect you with your inner goddess.
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.
