Is success only related to career achievements, wealth or the number of likes on social media?
Whether youâre a Master student, PhD candidate, or Postdoc, youâve probably experienced this: a moment when you stop and thinkâŚ
Am I really successful? đ¤
Itâs a tricky question because success isnât one-size-fits-all. Weâre surrounded by benchmarks that seem to define it for us – job titles, income, or publishing in high-impact journals. And while these are important milestones, they might not match what truly matters to you.
Why?
Because success is something subjective. Itâs deeply personal, and shaped by your goals, values, and unique circumstances.
This is important to realize, because trying to conform to someone elseâs version can lead to frustration rather than fulfillment.
In todayâs newsletter, I invite you to redefine success, and make it yours. For this, Iâll provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you find you own definition of success.
Defining success and finding your own definition
Before guiding you towards finding your definition of success, Iâll share with you what it means to me.
(This is the 2025 version; more on the dynamic part of it later)
As you may imagine, Iâve heard more than once in my career someone say âyou need to publish more than xx papers per year to be successfulâ or âyou wonât be successful if you donât secure a big grantââ
Well, the good news is that I donât care about these aspects: in my view, success is not defined by these metrics.
My definition of success
For me, success is about:
đ¸Meaningful work
Contributing to projects that align with my values and make a tangible impact, whether thatâs mentoring the next generation of scientists or demystifying academia through NextMinds.
đ¸Balance
Living a rich life outside my professional identity, investing in my health and nurturing relationships.
đ¸Personal growth
Continuously learning new skills, embracing challenges, and evolving as an individual. I wonât feel fulfilled if I havenât learnt anything – even a very tiny thing.
This definition has evolved over time. During my PhD, success was about publishing and advancing my research. Today, itâs about alignment with my values and creating a lasting impact. Your definition can (and should!) change as you grow.
Find your own definition of success
Hereâs a small guide to help you finding what success means to you:
1ď¸âŁ Reflect on your values
What truly matters to you? Is it freedom, recognition, creativity, or stability? Consider what brings you joy and fulfillment, both inside and outside of work.
2ď¸âŁ Think beyond your immediate goals
Envision your ideal life five or ten years from now. How does your current role fit into that vision?
3ď¸âŁ Define your key pillars
Identify 2-3 core elements that form your idea of success (e.g., impact, balance, growth).
4ď¸âŁ Check for alignment
Ask yourself if your daily actions support these pillars. If not, brainstorm small changes to bring your life closer to your definition.
5ď¸âŁ Document it
Write down your definition as a living statement you can revisit and refine.
Success is dynamic
Remember, success isnât a fixed destination; itâs a journey. What drives you today might change tomorrow (or in 5 or 10 or 20 years) – and thatâs okay. The key is to remain intentional, reassessing your goals and adapting your actions to ensure youâre pursuing a path thatâs uniquely yours.
đ˘ The Take-Home Message
đĄSuccess is deeply personal and subjective.
đĄDefine your own version of success by reflecting on your values and goals.
đĄRegularly revisit your definition to ensure it evolves with you.
So⌠What does success mean to you? đ
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