Re-defining Success

The open waters symbolize freedom, encouraging individuals to explore new horizons and embrace life’s possibilities.

Success used to be simple—at least that’s what I believed. It was measured in numbers: money in the bank, the prestige of a well-respected career, and the tangible security of a steady paycheck and structured path. But when I stepped away from the familiar path to open my own private practice, I found myself grappling with questions I hadn’t considered before.

The logistics alone were daunting—startup costs, marketing, and the harsh reality of working in isolation. On one of my hardest days, I sat in my small office, doubting my choices. Was I doing the right thing? Would I be successful? The question stopped me in my tracks. For the first time, I realized I had no real idea what success meant for me.

Taking a step back, I began to reflect. Success, I realized, is deeply personal. Money is still important—it provides stability and opportunities—but I have found other things that mean more than what money can buy. It isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on what drives you, what you value, and what brings you fulfillment.

For me, success wasn’t about numbers anymore. It was about time—time to live, time to connect with the people who mattered, time to nourish my body, mind, and spirit. Long walks by the river, feeling the cool breeze on my face. Cooking meals that fueled my body instead of rushing through another meal at a hawker center or café between appointments. Diving into books and research, not because they were required, but because I was genuinely curious. These were the things I had once dismissed as unproductive, a ‘waste of time’ in a world that valued only immediate results. But now, I see time as the most expensive currency, one I’m not willing to spend on things that don’t align with my values.

Success is also freedom. The freedom to choose how I live my life, how I run my business, and who I work with. The ability to create a practice built around my values rather than external expectations. And in embracing that freedom, I found something unexpected—joy. A deep, fulfilling joy that returns to me a hundredfold.

So, what is success for you? Maybe it’s different from what you’ve been taught. Maybe it’s something you haven’t yet defined. Take the time to figure it out—fight for it. Because chasing someone else’s definition of success will never be as rewarding as living your own.