Looking back, I spent the first 35 years of my life chasing someone else’s idea of success. Growing up in a middle-class family with a teacher mom and an engineer dad, I absorbed all the “success” rules. Get good grades, go to college, climb the corporate ladder, and happiness will follow. I believed it all. But I was wrong.
After years as a financial analyst, working 70-hour weeks, I realized this advice was outdated. The world had changed, yet many of us still cling to old notions of success.
### Hard Work Doesn’t Always Pay Off
I was told hard work leads to rewards. At 23, I thought those long hours would get me ahead. But I saw colleagues who were less dedicated leap ahead because they understood office dynamics better. In today’s world, success relies on strategic thinking and relationship-building, not just hard work.
### A Degree Isn’t a Guarantee
The common belief was that a degree would open doors. While true in the past, by the time I graduated, everyone had one. Student debt became a lasting burden, holding me back from jobs I loved. Now, skills and experience matter more than the name on your diploma. Many successful tech workers don’t even have degrees.
### Passion Isn’t Always Profitable
We hear, “Follow your passion and the money will follow.” Sounds great, right? But turning a hobby into a job can ruin the joy in it. It’s often smarter to find something you’re good at and get paid for that, while keeping your passions separate.
### Company Loyalty is a Thing of the Past
Many of our parents worked at one company their entire lives and retired comfortably. Today, companies prioritize profits over their people. Employees with years of loyalty can suddenly find themselves out of a job. On the flip side, those who switch jobs frequently often see better salary increases.
### There Are Alternative Paths to Success
Growing up, success looked like a corner office and a big title. After spending years in finance, I found my happiness elsewhere. Many of my happiest colleagues became consultants or started their own businesses. Success can mean working from anywhere or enjoying a role you love without the stress of management.
### Home Ownership Is Complicated
We heard that buying a home was the best investment. This belief assumes that housing prices always rise and that you’ll be in one place long enough to build equity. In reality, sometimes renting and investing the difference is smarter. It really depends on your situation.
### Safety Isn’t Always Safe
Many of us were taught to play it safe. But by sticking to what felt “safe,” I missed opportunities while my friends who took risks thrived. The biggest risk is often staying in your comfort zone and becoming obsolete.
### Money Won’t Buy Happiness
I thought six figures would bring happiness. But once I hit that mark, I just wanted more. I learned happiness comes from relationships, purpose, and growth—not just money.
### Rethinking Success
So, what should we believe instead? Question everything. What worked for previous generations may not work for you. Diversify your income streams and prioritize skills over credentials. Define success for yourself and allow yourself to change direction.
I left finance to write, trading a stable salary for work that fulfills me. It was scary but worth it. The values we grew up with aren’t all wrong; they just need a fresh perspective for today’s world. So take what works, leave the rest behind, and don’t hesitate to create your own path.
The world has changed, and so must our approaches to success. The sooner we let go of old beliefs, the sooner we can build lives that resonate with who we are.
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