It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much money is sitting in your bank account, whether you're single, married, or what profession you belong to—nearly all of us are chasing some form of success. The interesting part is that success looks very different depending on who you ask. For some, it’s financial independence. For others, it’s a meaningful career, personal peace, or leaving a legacy. But whatever your version is, these 20 insights can help you grow more focused, more fulfilled, and closer to living life on your own terms.

Happiness might seem like an easy concept at first glance—until you really start to examine it. Ask yourself honestly, “Am I happy?” You might be surprised by the complexity of the answer. Life pulls us in different directions, and often without realizing it, we find ourselves emotionally off-center.

For many, the pursuit of happiness is ongoing and deeply personal. According to findings from the 2016 Harris Poll Survey of American Happiness, only about one-third of Americans reported being genuinely happy. Meanwhile, a General Social Survey pointed out “happiness inequality,” meaning levels of joy in the U.S. vary greatly depending on gender, income, and ethnicity.