Redefining Success: From Byron Bay to Beyond
About 18 months ago, I was standing in line at a coffee cart tucked into the driveway of Rae’s at Wategos in Byron Bay. It was a warm April morning, and I was taking a few days of rest before a whirlwind trip to New York for a coaching conference and then on to London for work commitments. At that time, I was still living the digital nomad life—working from anywhere, laptop in tow.
As I waited for my morning coffee, I overheard the barista say something that stopped me in my tracks:
“Definition of success: live wherever is your paradise and have other people pay you to be there.”
It was a throwaway line, but it lodged itself in my mind.
The Superficial Measures of Success
We’re often taught that success is measured by external markers:
The job title that looks impressive on LinkedIn.
The number of zeros on your salary.
The house with ocean views or the car that turns heads.
The business-class ticket or platinum frequent flyer status.
These things can look good, but they’re not the whole story. They’re the trophies we’re told to chase, even when they don’t align with what actually makes us feel fulfilled.
The Intrinsic Measures of Success
That barista’s comment made me reflect on what success really is when you strip away the gloss. For me, it’s no longer about the biggest pay cheque or the flashiest markers of achievement. Success is waking up with clarity and energy. It’s doing work that truly matters to me and being in service of others. It’s creating impact by helping someone else achieve a breakthrough moment, and feeling their success as if it were my own.
Through coaching—both as a client and a practitioner—I’ve come to see that success is deeply personal. For me, it looks like:
More confidence: I now back myself in ways I never did before. I speak and act with greater certainty, and that confidence carries through every area of life.
Being in service of others: Coaching shifted my focus from “what do I get?” to “how can I serve?”. The results I’ve seen in clients—landed jobs, renewed energy, transformed lives—have been more rewarding than any corporate milestone ever was.
Living vicariously through results: When a client tells me they’ve had the courage to step up, to ask for more, or to finally believe in themselves, I feel a surge of pride. Their wins are my wins.
And here’s the thing: that makes me happier. Not superficially, but deeply, sustainably, and with a sense of meaning that isn’t tied to the size of my bank account or the car in the driveway.
Famous Redefinitions of Success
I’m not alone in this realisation. Some of the most recognised figures in the world have also shifted their measure of success:
Oprah Winfrey: Early in her career, success for Oprah was about ratings, influence, and building a media empire. But in her later years, she has openly said her greatest success is helping others live fuller lives—through philanthropy, mentoring, and platforms that promote healing and growth. Her definition moved from power to purpose.
Prince Harry: For much of his life, success was defined for him—royal duties, military service, and public appearances. His decision to step back from royal life with Meghan Markle was a conscious redefinition. He’s since focused on mental health advocacy, family, and personal authenticity, showing that success is about wellbeing and impact, not tradition or expectation.
Matthew McConaughey: Once known mainly for rom-coms and Hollywood glamour, McConaughey had his famous “McConaissance” when he turned down big paydays to pursue more meaningful, challenging roles. For him, success shifted from fame and fortune to artistic integrity, family, and living by his own values—something he’s explored deeply in his book Greenlights.
These examples remind us that success isn’t fixed—it evolves. And often, it evolves for the better when we start asking deeper questions.
How Coaching Helps You Redefine Success
Coaching is the bridge between these two worlds—the superficial and the intrinsic. It’s the space where you pause and ask: Whose definition of success am I chasing?
A coach helps you dig deeper, uncover your core values, and design a path to success that’s truly yours. For some, that might mean building financial freedom. For others, it’s about balance, creativity, or leadership. The key is alignment: making sure that your ambition fuels your wellbeing, not depletes it.
So, next time you catch yourself chasing the next shiny thing, take a breath and ask: What’s my definition of success? If it doesn’t come easily, that’s where coaching comes in—to help you define it, and then support you in attaining it.
Because when success is on your terms, it doesn’t just look good—it feels good.
