There was a time in teenage years when I believed that hitting my first million naira before or by the time i clocked 20 was the ultimate sign of success. I actually arrived at this definition of success based of one of my brothers whom we were having a conversation and then he told me that he made his first millions by 21 and was very happy and fulfilled, so i just felt me making mine by that age would also mean i have actually arrived. To be honest, I held on to that dream tightly. I even wrote it down as one of my goals. In my head, if I could achieve that milestone, then it meant I was well on my way to becoming a truly successful person.
But life happened. I didn’t make that million by 20. For a while, I felt like I had failed myself. I was disappointed and thought maybe I wasn’t doing enough. But as time passed, I began to reflect deeply on what success really meant. I asked myself, “Even if I had made that million, what next? Would I suddenly be fulfilled? Would that be enough?” And the answer I kept getting was no.
That moment became a turning point in how I view success. I realized that chasing a certain amount of money at a specific age doesn’t automatically mean you’ve made it in life. I started to understand that success isn’t just about wealth or ticking off goals quickly—it’s more about the journey, growth, impact, and purpose.
Right now, my definition of success is much deeper and more personal. It’s not about rushing to achieve things before a certain age. Success, for me, is when I’m able to accomplish the major goals I’ve set for my future—whether it takes five years or ten. It’s when I can look back and feel proud that I didn’t give up on my dreams, no matter how long they took to manifest.
More importantly, success means fulfilling my purpose on earth. I believe each of us has a unique reason for being here, and when I’m actively living that purpose—impacting lives, spreading love, and staying true to my values—that’s when I’ll feel truly successful. I also measure success by the happiness and well-being of my loved ones. If I can help my family, make life better for them, and ensure that the people I care about are in a good place, then that’s a huge win for me.
At the end of the day, success is no longer about flashy achievements or societal timelines. It’s about growth, purpose, love, and impact. And with each step I take toward that, I know I’m on the right path.
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