Leah Berenson

Leah Berenson

December 17, 2024

These 12 Milestones Show You’re Already Winning at Life

Opinion

Success is often associated with wealth but it comes in numerous forms, from staying clean to getting a promotion, to overcoming depression and getting out of bed today, all these things and more are signs that you’re on the path of success. However, some psychological milestones can also symbolize success. Here are a few examples. 

1.Create regular goals

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People often work toward their large goals, sometimes spending years focused on the same task. However, a milestone of success is consistency and aiming for new heights. As such, if you focus on small weekly or daily goals you’ll continuously feel accomplished and proud. 

2. A Milestone for Emotional Intelligence 

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One of the best ways to ensure success in life is to have self-awareness. This means you are aware of, and can identify your personal thoughts, feelings, emotions, and how others perceive you. 

3. Listening to Listen

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Most people listen to others speak about their woes, with the intent to offer guidance and support. As such, people often think more about how they’ll respond in a conversation than what the other person is actually saying. Therefore, learning to listen to others intently is an important psychological milestone. 

4. A Milestone for Growth

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Success comes in several forms but personal growth is one of the easiest milestones to achieve. Simply, seize every opportunity to learn or try something new. Additionally, some things take some time to adjust to, so, consider giving something a second chance if you didn’t absolutely love it the first time. 

5. Willpower Equals Success

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Willpower is another milestone that’s sure to help you reach success, and according to Very Well Mind, it’s something you can strengthen. For instance, “start by making small goals that require willpower to achieve, such as avoiding sugary snacks. As you build your ability to use your will power to achieve such small goals, you may find that your willpower is also stronger when working on much larger goals,” the page explains. 

6. A Milestone Relating to Fear

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Overcoming personal fears is another milestone that symbolizes success. After all, it takes a lot of courage, resilience, willpower, and determination to overcome everyday roadblocks and fear often elicits the fight or flight response, which can cloud judgement and make people avoid those circumstances at all costs. However, a successful person tackles fears and challenges, all the while knowing they help to shape a more powerful and empowered individual. 

7. A Milestone in Forgiveness

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Commonly, people resent others who’ve hurt them or let them down. Alternatively, they may hold a grudge or have a hard time letting go. However, achieving forgiveness is a milestone sign of success and may help bring you inner peace. 

Conversely, acknowledging your mistakes and humbly asking others for forgiveness or support is another huge milestone on the path to success. 

8. You know Your Passions

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Many people spend their lives trying different things in hopes of finding their purpose and the things that make their heart happy. As such, if you’ve discovered your passions and hobbies, you’re ahead of the game. You have an upper hand, finding comfort, joy, or peace, where others may continually be on the search for inner happiness. 

9. A Milestone in Positivity 

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Another way to measure success is by how you positively impact and treat others or the world. If your job allows you to help others, you take time to volunteer, or are constantly doing small gestures of kindness, you’re successful. Life’s about helping others and creating a community, despite some people’s preferences to be independent and in solitude. So, success can be measured by your contributions to loved ones, those in need, or society as a whole. 

10. Measuring Failures

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Success can also be measured by how you handle or approach life’s challenges. Moreover, when you appreciate and learn from the mistakes you’ve made you can improve your decision making process, and benefit from personal growth. 

11. A Milestone in Gratitude 

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Another milestone of success is a milestone in gratitude. For example, someone who is successful most likely has an appreciation for all they’ve worked to achieve, the countless opportunities that have arisen for their growth, and the wonderful people who grace their lives. Gratitude practices include journaling for a few minutes everyday about the things, people, or circumstances in your life that bring you happiness and make you feel loved, confident, supported, and empowered. 

12. A Milestone in Inner Peace

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As previously mentioned, forgiving others can bring you closer to inner peace, but that’s not the only thing that can help create a sense of peace. Rather, by going with the flow and accepting all the good, and bad, that life has to offer, you can also work toward inner peace. Additionally, inner peace may mean cutting ties with your past, or people who leave you feeling drained, taken for granted, or let down. Either way, if you know what brings your heart serenity and joy, you most likely are more psychologically successful than many people.

Read More: 60-Year-Old Woman Lists 23 of Her Life’s Regrets