Crafting a fulfilling life can feel like a never-ending journey, especially when it seems everyone else is racing ahead.
But the truth is, many of us tend to underestimate how far we’ve come or how valuable certain accomplishments really are.
Sometimes, the biggest wins aren’t measured by flashy accolades or titles but by foundational habits and mindsets that set you up for long-term success.
If you’ve checked off the following seven items, you’re likely doing better than you might think—and probably better than many of your peers.
1) You have a sense of direction
Ever notice how life can feel like a frantic scramble when you’re not sure where you’re headed?
One thing I’ve learned is that having a clear direction—whether it’s a broad vision or a set of smaller goals—puts you miles ahead of most people. Knowing where you want to be in a few years or even a few months can help you make decisions with confidence.
I spent years in digital marketing before I pivoted to writing. At the time, I felt torn between sticking to a familiar career path and diving into an entirely new field. But after talking it over with a mentor, I realized I needed to define what success actually looked like for me, not for anyone else.
And once I had a direction—to write and share insights about psychology and everyday decision-making—my stress levels dropped, and my productivity skyrocketed.
Having a sense of direction doesn’t mean you won’t ever take detours. In fact, you almost certainly will. But it does mean you’ll have a guiding compass to keep you on track, no matter what curveballs life throws at you.
2) You know how to manage your finances
Let’s face it: money isn’t everything, but it sure makes a difference when you handle it wisely. Lots of people in their twenties, thirties, or even older find themselves in a constant juggling act with bills, credit card debt, and impulse spending.
So if you’ve managed to establish a reasonable budget, set aside an emergency fund, or invest in a retirement account, congratulations—you’re already beating the odds.
Financial discipline is more than knowing the difference between wants and needs. It’s understanding how each purchase fits into your broader financial picture.
As the saying goes, “A small leak can sink a great ship.” Those little expenses—daily lattes, spontaneous online shopping sprees—add up faster than we think.
Building strong money habits now not only prevents future stress but also opens doors to opportunities (like that dream trip, your own business venture, or further education) without sending your finances off the rails.
3) You maintain genuine connections
We’re more connected technologically than ever before, yet many people report feeling lonelier than previous generations.
According to a study by Cigna, loneliness is at epidemic levels in the U.S., impacting both mental and physical health. When you actively invest in meaningful relationships—be it with close friends, supportive family members, or even work colleagues—you set yourself apart.
It’s not about how many followers you have on social media; it’s about the handful of people you can truly count on. Strong relationships serve as a foundation when life inevitably gets rocky. They offer emotional support, fresh perspectives, and sometimes a healthy dose of tough love when you need it most.
Here at DM News, we often talk about how important it is to cultivate real human connections, not just for your personal life but also for professional growth.
Collaboration is key in any industry, especially digital marketing, where ideas thrive when shared among people who trust and respect each other. If you’ve prioritized quality over quantity in your relationships, consider it a win that many folks never quite achieve.
4) You’ve figured out a system for personal growth
Learning doesn’t end when you graduate. In fact, I’d argue it begins the moment you realize that formal education is just the start of a lifelong journey.
If you’ve set up a routine that includes reading (even if it’s just a few pages a day), taking online courses, or listening to podcasts that spark new ideas, you’re staying one step ahead of stagnation.
This point reminds me of a quote from Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, who said: “Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.” When you know what areas you want to grow in—be it leadership, coding, public speaking, or personal finance—you also get clearer about what’s worth saying “no” to.
If you have a system that keeps you learning consistently, you’re making ongoing investments in yourself that pay dividends for decades to come.
5) You understand the power of saying “no”
When you’re younger, there’s often an unspoken pressure to say “yes” to everything: new projects, new commitments, new social events, you name it. It’s easy to think that being perpetually busy equates to being productive or important.
But if you’ve already learned how to set boundaries and say “no” when something doesn’t align with your goals or well-being, you’ve unlocked a crucial life skill that many people don’t grasp until much later.
Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism, famously said, “If it isn’t a clear yes, then it’s a clear no.” I used to struggle with this in my digital marketing days, accepting every gig and partnership that came my way. Burnout crept in because I never took the time to evaluate what truly mattered.
Now, I’m more selective. I don’t try to jam-pack my calendar to look busy. Instead, I focus on fewer projects that genuinely align with my interests and have the highest impact.
If you already have the backbone to politely turn down tasks and invitations that don’t serve you, trust me: you’re ahead of a lot of people who are still learning that being spread too thin helps no one.
6) You see failure as part of growth
This is one I’ve mentioned in a previous post, but it’s worth revisiting. Failure often gets a bad rap, especially when we compare ourselves to peers who appear to achieve goals without stumbling. The reality is, though, that failure is a natural and even necessary part of any worthwhile endeavor.
Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, is known for emphasizing “test, fail, learn” cycles. That mindset isn’t just for tech startups or adventurous entrepreneurs—it applies to everyday life. When you can view failures as experiments and data points rather than catastrophic events, you free yourself to try new things without fear of permanent ruin.
I once launched a side project in digital marketing that completely bombed. Traffic was low, clients weren’t interested, and I poured so many hours into something that never really took off. But the experience taught me a ton about focusing on niches, validating ideas, and listening more closely to user feedback.
That so-called “failure” ended up being a masterclass in launching anything new. If you’ve learned to approach your missteps with curiosity rather than dread, you’re already surpassing those who see failures as stop signs instead of stepping stones.
7) You make health and wellness a priority
Finally, let’s talk about a topic that’s often overlooked until it’s too late: health. And I don’t just mean the occasional trip to the gym or quick diet fix.
If you’ve developed a consistent approach to eating well, exercising regularly, and taking care of your mental health, you’re far ahead in the game.
We live in an era that glorifies hustle culture—long hours, endless to-do lists, and minimal sleep. But your body and mind can only take so much.
As Gary Vaynerchuk has noted, “If you don’t take care of yourself, the hustle isn’t going to matter.” This is a sentiment echoed by countless health experts who stress that preventive care and stress management directly impact both your productivity and longevity.
I’m a big fan of weekend hikes along the California coast, where I can clear my mind and get some cardio in at the same time. It’s become a mini-ritual for me, partly because I love the view, but also because nothing resets my creativity more than fresh air and a little sweat.
Whether it’s yoga, weightlifting, morning jogs, or a simple walk in the neighborhood, consistent habits are what count. And if you’ve carved out time to prioritize your well-being, trust me, you’ve got an edge that will serve you for years to come.
Putting it all together
If you’ve hit these seven milestones, give yourself credit. It’s easy to downplay your progress when you’re constantly inundated by social media highlights of “perfect” lifestyles.
But each of these accomplishments—having a direction, managing your finances, investing in relationships, setting boundaries, continually learning, embracing failure, and prioritizing health—lays a strong foundation for long-term growth and fulfillment.
Most people don’t have all these ducks in a row. So if you do, you’re definitely ahead of the curve, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
Just remember: progress isn’t a checklist you complete once and forget about. Keep refining, keep learning, and keep embracing each stage of your journey. Chances are, you’re doing better than you realize.
