If you've passed these 12 milestones, you've already been hugely successful in life

You are probably more successful than you think.

A man with curly hair and a beard smiles while standing outdoors in a city. He is wearing a plaid shirt and light jacket. The sun is setting behind him, creating a warm glow. Urban buildings are visible in the background.

Success isn’t measured solely in wealth, status, or even your achievements. In fact, the best measures of success in life are less tangible but oh so important. If you want to know whether you’re truly succeeding, ask yourself how many of these milestones you have passed (hint: many milestones can be hit again and again through life for bonus points).

1. You have overcome your fears.

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Facing and overcoming your fears signifies courage and growth. It doesn’t matter whether they are large or small. Overcoming the small fears helps build your confidence so you can confront the bigger fears that are holding you back in life. Once you get used to confronting your fears, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. Many dreams go unfulfilled because fear prevents action.

2. You have learned to forgive.

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Forgiveness brings peace and clarity. By mastering the art of forgiveness, you master the art of letting go of the resentment and anger over the wrongs you’ve experienced. Granted, not every wrong need be forgiven if you don’t feel you can. But, eventually, you’ll realize that the anger and hurt really only hurt you. You’re the one who will carry it. Other people may forget, not care, or be happy you are hurting.

3. You have built some truly genuine relationships.

Two young women smile as they walk hand-in-hand through a lush, green field. The woman in the foreground, with curly hair and a white tank top, faces the camera, while the woman behind her with straight hair and a black shirt looks to the side. Trees are in the background.

Healthy, genuine relationships elevate everyone involved—to have a person, or people, to love and support unconditionally gives you back many times the investment in terms of energy and positive feelings. Learning to maintain and nurture those bonds is a challenge with so much baggage and trauma from life. It’s hard to get to that level of openness, acceptance, and vulnerability to experience that type of connection. But once you do, those relationships become gifts that keep on giving.

4. You have discovered your passion.

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Passion brings joy, fulfillment, and purpose in life. It can be a career, hobby, cause, or something else that provides those kinds of feelings. Not everyone is lucky enough to discover their passion, which is why one needs to adopt a love of learning and experimentation. The more you experience, the easier it is to find your passion. We should all be so fortunate to discover our passion.

5. You have learned to prioritize your health and well-being.

A woman with medium-length dark hair, wearing a light beige sweater and pants, is sitting on a chair in a modern kitchen. She is holding an orange slice in front of one eye and a glass of orange juice in her other hand, looking surprised and cheerful.

Prioritizing your physical and mental health is a gift you give yourself. Good health increases your quality of life exponentially. Quality of life matters because everything you do is based on how good your health is going to be. That especially matters as you get older, because things you don’t take care of now can compound into much larger problems five or ten years from now.

6. You have made a positive impact.

A woman in a pink shirt is offering comfort by gently placing her hand on the shoulder of another woman who is wiping her eyes with a tissue and appears upset. They are indoors, and the background is slightly blurred.

There is nothing more gratifying than helping someone when they need it. It’s something that can make you feel whole and fulfilled because it’s an improvement you’ve made with your own two hands. There are so many ways to make a positive impact. That could be from doing volunteer work, to helping out a neighbor, to donating to a cause that you really believe in. Whatever you choose, it’s good for the soul.

7. You have learned from your failures.

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Failure is not a dirty word. In fact, it’s a normal part of the path to success. Success becomes far more achievable when you can welcome failure with grace, embrace it, and then let it go as you move to the next thing. These setbacks are an opportunity to develop resilience and grow. Furthermore, failing can teach you lessons that you just can’t learn when you succeed. These lessons are valuable.

8. You have developed a gratitude practice.

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It is so important to regularly acknowledge and appreciate the good things you have in life. It’s one way to practice mindfulness and nurture your present happiness. Gratitude can help you find contentment in your accomplishments that you might otherwise miss if you don’t pause to consider what you have. It’s not always easy to find things to be grateful for, but that’s the most important time to look.

9. You have embraced your true self.

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Everyone is unique. We all have our merits and our flaws. To embrace your true self is to love all the uniqueness that makes you, for better and worse. Granted, that doesn’t mean you should stay complacent in bad or good habits. To embrace your true self is to accept that these things are a part of you instead of denying them. Acceptance is the first step toward improvement.

10. You have experienced moments of true inner peace.

A blonde woman in a light pink sweater is sitting on a yellow chair, resting her head on her hand and smiling. She is in a well-lit room with white walls, a shelf with books and plants in the background, and a grey sofa with a cushion.

Moments of true contentment can be fleeting. As you align yourself with your true values and life’s journey, you will find that it’s easier to feel contentment and peace. To live with inner peace is to flow with your life and experiences. Your path is yours to live. By accepting that, whatever comes, it’s far easier to not drown in the hard times that you will experience, sooner or later.

11. You have set and achieved goals.

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Goals don’t need to be grand to be meaningful. Many small goals pave the way toward much bigger successes. If you want to experience those bigger successes, then you can create a road map to your destination through small goals. Goals provide direction for you and your life. The only direction is forward as time goes by.

12. You have achieved financial stability.

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Okay, so this one is tangible, but it has non-tangible benefits. Money doesn’t buy happiness. What money does buy is safety, security, and stability which improves your happiness, reduces your stress, and allows you to conduct your life. The ability to support yourself and your loved ones without worry is a milestone that everyone should strive for. Granted, it’s all easier said than done with the state of the economy, but it is a goal worth striving for.