If you’ve achieved these 9 milestones, you’re doing better than most

Ever find yourself sitting on the couch, sipping on your favorite drink, and then boom – a wave of doubt hits you? “Am I doing enough? Am I where I’m supposed to be?”

These questions start bouncing around in your head, making you feel a bit down.

We’ve all been there – it’s a pretty common thing to wonder if you’re succeeding in life.

But here’s something to remember – there’s no one way to be “successful.” It looks different for everyone.

Life can get super busy. There’s always something to do, somewhere to be, and a next step to take. It’s so easy to forget about the awesome things we’ve already done.

We’re all about chasing the next big thing and sometimes, we forget to high-five ourselves for the cool stuff we’ve already pulled off.

If you’re feeling like you haven’t done enough, hold on a sec. I’ve put together a list of 9 signs that show you’re actually knocking it out of the park.

Spoiler – you’re probably doing a whole lot better than you think!

Let’s jump in. 

Milestone 1: You’ve Got a Job

If you’re waking up each morning and heading off to work or maybe working from home (thanks, comfy pajamas!), you’re already winning.

Jobs aren’t just about earning money. They’re also about learning, growing, and building skills.

Now, it doesn’t matter if you’re flipping burgers, writing code, or leading a team – you’re out there in the world, doing your thing, and making those dollars. And that’s awesome!

Every job adds value, not just to the world around you, but also to you as a person. It helps you build character, discipline, and skills that’ll stick with you no matter where life takes you.

When you’re feeling down, remember this: you’re employed. You’re putting in the hours, grinding, and earning your keep.

In a world where so many are still searching for employment, you’re ahead of the game!

Milestone 2: You’ve Faced Tough Times and Came Out Stronger

Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, it throws curveballs that hit hard.

Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, gone through a breakup, faced health issues, or lost a job. 

It’s those moments where the world feels heavy, and getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain.

But guess what? You’re still here.

You’ve been through storms that made you question everything. You’ve had nights where sleep was the last thing on your mind because worries were banging loud on your brain’s door.

But look at you now – you’re reading this, aren’t you? That means you made it through those dark times. You pushed, pulled, and sometimes crawled your way through.

Every scar, every tear, every restless night – they’ve shaped you. Made you stronger, wiser, and let’s face it, a bit of a warrior.

Tough times didn’t break you. No, they built you. You’ve got a kind of strength that can only come from facing life’s ugliest moments and saying, “Is that all you’ve got?”

So, give yourself a break. You’re a fighter. And every day you’re still standing, still moving, still pushing forward – that’s proof you’re doing more than just okay.

Milestone 3: You’ve Built Genuine Relationships

If you’ve got at least one person you can call up at 2 AM when the world’s getting too much, or share good news with, you’re richer than you realize.

I remember a time when I felt alone in a crowd, like just another face in the hustle and bustle of life.

It was in those quiet, solitary moments that I realized the true value of genuine connections.

It’s not about the number of friends on Facebook or followers on Instagram, it’s about those real, unfiltered connections that light up the darkest corners of your existence.

Having even one true relationship is like owning a gold mine. It’s not about grand gestures or Instagram-worthy moments.

It’s in the quiet support, the unspoken understanding, and the unwavering loyalty that we find the true measure of wealth.

It’s those little moments when someone asks how your day was and waits to hear the answer, or when they show up with your favorite snack after you’ve had a rough day.

I count myself lucky to have such gems in my life, and if you do too, take a moment to appreciate this wealth.

In a world where true connections are becoming a rare commodity, you, my friend, are wealthy beyond measure.

Milestone 4: You’ve Failed and Bounced Back

If you’ve ever tried something and failed miserably, congratulations! I know, I know – failure isn’t typically something we throw a party for. But maybe, just maybe, we’ve got this all wrong.

See, failure has this bad rep. It’s that uninvited guest at the party that nobody wants to hang out with.

But here’s the twist – failing means you tried. You stepped up. You took a swing at something, and even if you missed, at least you swung.

Remember that time you went for a job interview and didn’t get the call back? Or that business idea that flopped? It stings, sure.

But it also means you’re out there, in the arena, getting your hands dirty. You’re not just sitting on the sidelines watching life go by.

Every ‘no’ is a step closer to a ‘yes’. Every misstep is a lesson learned, an opportunity to do better next time.

If you’ve never failed, you’ve never truly risked anything. You’ve never put yourself out there, vulnerable and exposed, ready to win big or fall hard.

If you’ve got a collection of failures under your belt, take a good look at them. They’re not scars; they’re badges of honor. You earned each one by being brave enough to try. And that is a win in itself.

Milestone 5: You’ve Let Go of Toxic Relationships

We all have had those people in our lives—the ones who drain our energy, the ones who make us doubt ourselves, the ones we’re better off without.

Yet, we hang on, thinking we can change them, or worse, believing we deserve the emotional rollercoaster they put us on.

If you’ve managed to cut the cord and walk away from such a relationship, give yourself the credit you deserve. It’s a massive achievement.

I’ve been there – holding on to connections that were anything but healthy, convincing myself that things would get better. They didn’t.

It’s like holding onto a wild storm and expecting not to get swept away. Letting go can feel like a failure, like a betrayal, but sometimes, it’s the biggest act of self-love.

There’s a harsh yet liberating beauty in looking at someone and realizing that they’re not your ‘person’—not anymore.

It’s raw, it’s painful, but it’s also profoundly courageous. Walking away doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’re strong enough to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being.

Severing those ties can leave you feeling empty, but remember this – empty hands are also open.

Open to new connections, fresh starts, and healthier relationships. If you’ve closed a door on toxicity, pat yourself on the back.

You’ve chosen peace over chaos, self-love over self-sacrifice, and believe me, that’s worth its weight in gold.

Milestone 6: You’ve Learned to Say ‘No’

Learning to say ‘no’ is like finding a superpower you never knew you had. I remember the days when ‘yes’ was my go-to answer.

Yes to extra work, yes to favors, yes to pretty much everything that came my way.

I was juggling a million things, trying to please everyone, and in the process, I lost sight of something crucial – myself.

It’s an easy trap to fall into, the world of constant ‘yes’. But it’s also a quick road to burnout, stress, and forgetting what your own voice sounds like.

The day I realized that ‘no’ wasn’t a dirty word, but a bridge to balance and mental peace, everything changed.

Have you ever felt that? The liberating power that courses through you when you respectfully decline something that doesn’t align with your priorities, or simply because you need to put yourself first?

If you have, then you’re in a special club of people who’ve discovered that every ‘no’ to someone else can be a resounding ‘yes’ to yourself.

Saying ‘no’ isn’t about being selfish or unkind. It’s about setting boundaries. It’s a declaration that your time, energy, and well-being are precious.

And every time you use that two-letter word, you’re drawing a line that says you respect and value yourself enough to choose where your energy goes.

If you’ve mastered the art of saying ‘no’, even just occasionally, then you’re doing something right.

You’re claiming ownership of your life and making conscious choices that honor your needs and well-being. And that is a silent revolution that not everyone has the courage to lead.

Milestone 7: You’re Not Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Money talk can be uncomfortable. It’s one of those things that can keep you up at night, staring at the ceiling and wondering if you’ll ever get ahead.

I won’t sugarcoat it – money stress is real, and nearly everyone faces it at some point.

But here’s something worth celebrating – if you’ve reached a point where you’re not counting the days till your next paycheck, you’re doing something really right.

You don’t have to be rolling in dough or have a bank account that looks like a phone number.

It’s about that breath of relief when you know your bills are paid, and there’s still a little something left to enjoy or tuck away for a rainy day.

It’s about the freedom that comes from not being choked by financial anxiety every month.

It’s raw. It’s real. Every step towards financial stability is a battle won against the panic that clutches at the throats of so many out there.

There’s a silent strength in knowing that you can afford life’s essentials and still have a bit left to treat yourself or someone you care about.

No golden gates, no lavish luxuries, just the silent, steady assurance that you’ve got this – that’s a victory.

If you know that feeling, embrace it. You’ve wrestled with one of life’s most stubborn stressors and come out on top.

Milestone 8: You’ve Invested in Your Growth

Have you ever picked up a book to learn something new, signed up for a workshop, or maybe even gone back to school to level up your skills?

If the answer is yes, then kudos to you! Investing in yourself is one of the most underrated yet impactful milestones you can achieve.

We’re not just talking about formal education here. Maybe you’ve taken up a painting class because it helps you express yourself, or perhaps you’ve dabbled in coding because it’s like learning a new language.

Every time you dive into learning something new, you’re not just collecting certificates or skills; you’re building a version of yourself that’s richer, deeper, and more versatile.

In a world obsessed with instant results, taking the time to grow can sometimes feel like you’re moving slow.

But remember this: every book read, every class attended, every new skill acquired is a brick added to the magnificent structure of ‘You.’

It’s easy to overlook this, especially when everyone seems to be in a race to get ‘there’ faster.

But if you’re one who takes the time to learn and grow, to nurture your mind and soul, you’re not just moving; you’re evolving.

Milestone 9: You’ve Accepted Yourself

It’s probably the hardest yet the most rewarding milestone you could ever reach.

Accepting yourself, with all your flaws, mistakes, and those little quirks that make you, well, you. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but let me tell you – it’s everything.

We live in a world that’s always telling us to be more, do more, have more.

We’re constantly bombarded with images of perfection, making us feel like we’re forever falling short.

I’ve had those days, staring in the mirror, picking apart everything I thought was wrong with me. But here’s the raw truth – that “perfect” you’re chasing doesn’t exist.

If you’ve looked at yourself, with all your imperfections and said, “I’m good enough,” you’ve hit the jackpot.

Those flaws? They’re not your chains; they’re your character, your story.

Every wrinkle, every scar, every “mistake” is a chapter in the epic tale of you.

And accepting that – it’s like breaking free from a prison you didn’t even know you were in.

There’s a kind of freedom, a wild, untamable power that comes with embracing yourself – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the utterly beautiful.

It’s not about arrogance or thinking you’re better than anyone else. It’s about looking at yourself and saying, “I’m not perfect, but I’m worthy.”

If you’ve reached this point, if you can stare down your demons, embrace your angels, and still love the complex, wonderfully messy being that stares back at you in the mirror – you’re not just living.

You’re alive, fiercely and unapologetically. And in a world obsessed with artificial perfection, you, with all your raw, unfiltered humanity, are a masterpiece.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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