All your life, you might have known success based on how the society you grew up in defined it — being famous, having a lot of money, or being able to afford mansions, sports cars, and designer clothes. But have you ever wondered what success actually is to you?

Many people get lost on their way to becoming successful just because they don’t really know what success is to them. Some become rich or well known only to find out that it’s not what they really want in life. And if asking yourself what success looks like to you left you without an answer, too, these five ways will help you define your own success. Read on.

Defying norms about success

We got used to judging someone’s success based on how much money they have in the bank, their cars, designer bags, or titles. While these are all valid ideas of success, there’s a lot more to it than what people see.

Year by year, we continue to defy previously established norms that don’t fit our evolving society anymore. This includes redefining success and recognizing it as it simply is: achieving something we set out to do. It is being happy with our unique goals regardless of the pressure of social norms.

Ways of defining your own success

So how should you define your own success? Here are some ways to help you out.

Method 1: Knowing your Whys

The first way to get an idea of what success is to you: knowing why you work hard in life. Do you work hard to be the first millionaire in the family? To travel the world? Or just live conveniently?

These reasons for motivation can be reverse engineered to statements of success. For example, if you want to succeed because you want to help your family become financially stable, success to you looks like having enough money to provide for a convenient life for your family.

Method 2: Success = Freedom + Happiness + Fulfillment

Success is a combination of many ingredients. But most importantly, it is nothing without these components: freedom, happiness, and fulfillment.

Imagine if you have all the material things you want, but you’re emotionally drained and mentally exhausted. Can you call yourself successful? If you became a CEO of a company in exchange for your health and time spent for your loved ones, would you feel happy or fulfilled with what you achieved?

Freedom simply means that you have control over your time. You’re free to explore your interests while still earning sustainable income. You can put the things that matter first: your health, relationships, and self-development.

Happiness is waking up thankful most days. It doesn’t mean you’re happy all the time; it just means that you’re pleased with the way things generally are. Fulfillment is being satisfied with your end goals and your efforts to make yourself a better person each day.

Now, imagine: what do you think will give you this freedom while making you happier and fulfilled? Whatever comes up in your mind is your definition of success.

Method 3: Visualization of success

Asking yourself the question, “What does success look like?” is an effective way to know exactly what you want in life. When doing so, try to write down whatever you think about while being honest with yourself.

Try to imagine a future where you can call yourself accomplished and satisfied with the work you do. You can also adapt what the conventional image of success looks like — wealth and stability.

It’s okay, however, if you can’t think of anything yet. Just make it a habit to visualize different ideas of success until what you see finally makes you feel happy even just by imagining it.

Method 4: Putting everything on your own terms

Most of us view success by comparing ourselves against each other - who has the nicer car, who traveled more countries first, or who’s already married at a certain age. This is how society raised us. You might think that you want the same as whatever other people have when you see them feel successful. But the truth is, other people’s success shouldn’t matter.

When trying to find your own definition of success, you have to put everything on your own terms. Forget about what other people think. Let go of whatever you thought success was. Dig deep from your dreams, desires, and visions of the future, or just talk to your genuine self.

Some people want to be millionaires or owners of a company. Some people just want to live comfortably. All of that is valid. Remember that success is however you define it: no one else’s opinions matter but yours.

Method 5: Specificity

When trying to visualize what success looks like for you, you probably had the mental image of the future you want for yourself. In this method, you can use that image and expand on it.

For example, if you imagine success as being able to give your loved ones a comfortable life, take a closer look at it. Does it mean you would have your own house, and what kind of house will it be? Will you live in the city or move to the suburbs? What would your future family look like, and when do you think you’ll settle down? With these details, your vision becomes more real, tangible, and inspiring.

How will you define your success?

Have you tried to use the methods we listed? It’s easy to follow different ways to define your success, but it’s also easy to lose track or realize that you still don’t have an idea of what it is. If that’s the case, you can always try the methods again. And again. Try until it makes sense to you. The important thing is that right now, you know what you can do to make a mental picture of success that feels right to you.