We often come across a rather simplistic approach in articles on this topic, especially in entrepreneurial circles or fields where the main focus is on career, suggesting that the key to happiness, in short, is success.

We could leave it at that, as most people are satisfied with this answer, but if we take a moment to delve deeper into the question, we find certain logical connections that are surprising and others that raise questions. Moreover, there is something insidious about this idea, as it relegates a significant part of the population to being unable to achieve happiness — at least, according to a certain elite that views success only in material terms and as something to be flaunted with outward signs of wealth. This might be acceptable, but the issue seems much broader and, above all, more individualized and internalized.

To explore these connections, we could imagine that it is necessary first to define the concepts of happiness and success, and also to include and associate the concepts of satisfaction and perception. However, a simple definition of these terms will not help us here, because it is the relationship between these concepts that we need to understand, not their basic dictionary definitions, of which everyone already has a vague idea.

We cannot separate the mindset, the perspective through which we view something, a fact, or an achievement, from the very nature of the representations we have of it. Your perception of the same thing can radically change if you are feeling sad or in a moment of joy. The same accomplishment or goal may be satisfying to one person and insignificant to another. The relationship between success and happiness is complex, especially for highly gifted individuals, who are often perpetually dissatisfied, or rather, who oscillate between satisfaction and dissatisfaction like a sine wave — sometimes even for the same achievement! While society often programs us to associate professional success with happiness, the reality is, of course, more complex.

And as an answer that is not really an answer, because it seems evident that there is no universal response and that it all relies on individual construction, a study conducted by Harvard University, which followed adults for over 75 years, reveals that happiness is closely linked to the feeling of progress toward personal goals. This idea resonates with the notion that happiness can be a consequence of perceived success, provided that this success is aligned with deep objectives and aspirations.

Doesn’t this remind you of coaching? I won’t go so far as to claim that coaching is a generator of happiness, but it is not entirely unreasonable to frame it as an open question. However, the relentless pursuit of new goals and perfection can also be a source of stress and dissatisfaction, suggesting that success, as we have defined its connections and implications, arises from a delicate balance, including an emotional one, which involves many other personal factors and is not always synonymous with happiness.