The Two Broad Categories of Success—and the One That Can Be Dangerous

We all want to feel accomplished. But that word—success—can be deceptive. It doesn’t just mean money, fame, or awards. In fact, some types of success, especially when misunderstood or misprioritized, can actually derail your well-being and happiness.

So let’s unpack two foundational categories of success: what you do, and who you are.

Type 1: Success in What You Do

This is the kind of success most people think of. The surface-level version. The outward indicators: job titles, bank accounts, big houses, viral fame, gold medals, and all the measurable wins.

It’s real, and it can be thrilling. But here’s the catch—it’s also fragile.

This kind of success can be earned through years of hard work, determination, and yes, sometimes even manipulation or shortcuts. But history shows that those who climb to the top without inner stability often come crashing down.

We’ve seen it repeatedly: once the applause dies down, once the record is broken by someone else, or once the money fades—many successful people are left with the crushing realization that all their outer achievement didn’t fix their inner emptiness. 

Even the greats have admitted this.

“I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure.” — Kobe Bryant
“I’m plagued with insecurities 24/7.” — Madonna

It’s not that external achievements are meaningless. It’s that they’re incomplete without internal clarity and peace.

Type 2: Success in Who You Are

This version of success is less glamorous but far more powerful.

It’s not about how many people clap for you. It’s about how you feel when you’re alone with yourself. It’s about the depth of your values, your integrity, your purpose, and the positive impact you make on others.

It’s about the decisions you make when no one’s watching—and how you treat people who can’t offer you anything in return.

This type of success is hard to define with numbers or trophies, but you know it when you feel it. It’s the peace that comes from self-respect. The sense of stability that doesn’t shake when the market crashes or trends shift.

It can’t be taken from you—not by competitors, failures, aging, or retirement.

And ironically, those who strive to become successful in who they are… often become successful in what they do too.

 Real-Life Examples of Type 2 Success

• Desmond Doss, a devout pacifist, became a war hero—not by killing enemies, but by saving lives, earning a Medal of Honor for his courage.

• Joni Eareckson Tada, paralyzed from the neck down, became a world-renowned artist and advocate for the disabled.

• Eric Liddell, an Olympic athlete, forfeited a race due to his faith. He later went on to become a respected missionary.

They all pursued values over validation, and meaning over medals. And that’s exactly why their stories endure. 

Case Study: Chad Williams, Navy SEAL

Becoming a Navy SEAL is the ultimate test of endurance, mental fortitude, and commitment. Chad Williams passed that test—one of only 13 out of 173 to graduate.

But even after the achievement, something was missing.

“I had reached my mountaintop, only to discover… that the view disappointed me.” – Chad Williams, SEAL of God

He found success in what he did. But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t until he faced his inner turmoil and began living for deeper values that he discovered what real success felt like. And it transformed him—not just as a soldier, but as a person.

Why Do We Want Success in the First Place?

The truth? Most of us don’t want “success” itself—we want what we think success will give us:

• Peace

• Confidence

• Love

• Security

• Recognition

• Legacy

But those aren’t outcomes of flashy achievements. They come from who we are, not what we do.

As Viktor Frankl wisely put it:

“Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it, the more you are going to miss it... Success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”

10 Types of Success Worth Knowing

Let’s now break down 10 legitimate types of success people seek—beyond just dollars or headlines:

1. Material Success
What you own, buy, or build. Cars, homes, fashion, luxury. It’s visible, but it doesn’t always mean fulfillment.

2. Commercial Success
How well you perform in business or your career. Includes revenue, promotions, professional status.

3. Emotional Success
Your emotional health, confidence, and quality of relationships. This is what most people are truly chasing.

4. Intellectual Success
Knowledge, creativity, curiosity. It’s the joy of understanding and growing mentally, whether or not you have degrees.

5. Spiritual Success
Your connection with faith, purpose, or the universe. It anchors you when everything else feels uncertain.

6. Physical Success
Health, energy, and body function. It often influences all other forms of success.

7. Evangelical Success
Your influence. How well you inspire, teach, or lead others through your actions and presence.

8. Environmental Success
The harmony between you and your surroundings. How you care for your space and the world around you.

9. Time Success
How well you use your time. Are you living meaningfully or always “too busy”? Time is your real wealth.

10. Collective Success
Your social intelligence. How well you collaborate, build community, and contribute to teams or society.

Which Type of Success Should You Focus On?

That’s entirely up to you. But here’s a powerful truth:

The most sustainable and meaningful version of success comes from inside out, not outside in.

If you invest in the second type—success in who you are—you’ll find that other forms of success begin to follow naturally. Not as forced conquests, but as byproducts of your growth, courage, and integrity.