The Test of Success vs. The Test of Money

In a world increasingly driven by metrics, likes, revenue, and return on investment, we’re constantly nudged to equate success with wealth. Money often masquerades as the universal scoreboard. But is it really the only or even the best test of a successful life?

Redefining Success: The Myth and the Measure

Success, at its core, is subjective. What society deems “successful” often shifts with headlines and hashtags. For some, it’s the corner office. For others, it’s a quiet studio, a family reunion, or a sunrise surf session.

Cultural Bias: In capitalist societies, monetary success is revered. In more collectivist cultures, success is about contribution, harmony, and legacy.
Personal Fulfillment: Success may look like a published novel that earns little but touches hearts. Or a teacher whose name echoes in the memories of generations.

Money can be one measure of success. But reducing success to numbers strips it of its soul.

The Test of Money: A Convenient Illusion

Let’s be honest, money matters. It enables freedom, access, and comfort. But when money becomes the measure of worth, that’s where things unravel.

Quantity Over Quality: Chasing financial gain often sidelines creativity, ethics, and well-being.
Hollow Victories: Ever heard of “golden handcuffs”? High-paying jobs that drain you, leaving you financially secure but spiritually bankrupt.
Success Theater: Luxury cars, designer wardrobes, and Instagram stories tell stories curated for admiration. But not necessarily happiness.

The test of money is standardized. But real success is often too wild, weird, or wondrous to fit in spreadsheets.

Contrasting the Two Tests

Here’s how the test of success and the test of money often diverge:

Criteria	Test of Success	Test of Money
Definition	Purpose, impact, fulfillment	Wealth accumulation, material possession
Validation Source	Internal (self, values)	External (society, markets)
Longevity	Enduring, values-driven	Can be fleeting or unstable
Emotional Outcome	Gratitude, meaning, joy	Status, security, sometimes anxiety
Legacy	Influence, contribution	Inheritance, net worth

Money may pass the balance sheet test. But success passes the mirror test—you see your truth and stand tall in it.

Stories That Challenge the Money Metric

History is sprinkled with individuals who flunked the money test but aced the success test:

Vincent van Gogh sold just one painting in his lifetime. Today, he’s a symbol of unyielding artistic spirit.
Malala Yousafzai risked her life for education. Her success lies in courage, not currency.
APJ Abdul Kalam remained modest in lifestyle. But in the test of contribution, he was a giant.

These aren’t fairy tales, they’re reminders that fulfillment often blooms outside the confines of financial success.

Why This Conversation Matters Now

In an age where hustle culture glorifies burnout and personal brands rival companies, we need to pause. Recalibrate. Ask ourselves:

Am I chasing money or meaning?
Will I be proud of this life when no one’s watching?
Who defines my success, me or my LinkedIn connections?

Choosing the test of success over the test of money doesn’t mean rejecting financial goals. It means reordering priorities putting values above valuables.