"Le succès n'est pas tant ce que nous avons que ce que nous sommes"

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: Success isn't about the stuff you own or the tangible achievements you collect. It's more about who you become in the process—the qualities you develop, the person you are.

Let’s rewind to why this might have been said. Think about a time when materialism was booming—maybe the 1980s, the "Greed is Good" era. People were all about flashy cars, big houses, and designer clothes. But someone, maybe fed up with all the superficiality, said, "Hold on. It's not what you have that makes you successful, it's who you are." It was a reminder to focus on personal growth, character, integrity—all that stuff that lasts longer than the latest gadget.

Let me tell you a story. Picture Sarah. She was obsessed with getting rich. She worked 80-hour weeks, climbed the corporate ladder, and bought a huge house and a sports car. Yet, she felt empty. Meanwhile, her friend Mike didn’t chase money. He worked hard at a job he loved, volunteered on weekends, and spent time with his family. Mike wasn’t wealthy, but he was genuinely happy. He had rich relationships, a sense of purpose, and was known for his kindness and wisdom. In the end, who’s truly successful? Mike, right? Because he grew into someone admirable and content, while Sarah just gathered stuff.

So how can you apply this nugget of wisdom? Instead of fixating on your next big purchase or job title, focus on developing qualities like resilience, empathy, and kindness. Ask yourself: Am I proud of the person I'm becoming? Am I growing? Start small. Maybe it's as simple as being more patient with your partner or taking time to help a colleague. It’s these little choices that shape who you are.

Imagine you're at a coffee shop with a friend. Your friend tells you they're feeling down because they haven't hit a big career milestone yet. You'd probably remind them of all the amazing qualities they have—their hard work, their loyalty, their sense of humor. You’d point out that these traits make them successful in ways a job title never could. And you’d be right. Because at the end of the day, who we are matters more than what we have.

Think about it like a garden. If you focus on nurturing the soil (your character), the plants (your achievements) will grow healthy and strong. Neglect the soil, and no matter how hard you try, those plants just won't thrive. So, prioritize your inner growth—it's the foundation for everything else.

In this hustle-culture world, it's easy to forget this. We get caught up in the rat race, chasing the next big thing. But if we take a step back and focus on who we’re becoming, we might find that true success feels a lot more satisfying—and it’s something no one can take away from us.