REDEFINING SUCCESS: MEASURING WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LIFE

I was walking my daughter to school today. It was a sunny Thursday morning possessed of a soft breeze that mixed with our laughter as we playfully bumped into each other. Then, around the corner I saw a beautiful motorcycle parked on the side of the road. ´One day I´m gonna get one of those and ride with you to Okinawa. What do you think?´ I asked. She stared at me and then said, ´I don't think so dad. You are too poor to afford one of those.´  And then she jokingly gave me the ´L´ sign. Say what? 😯😯😂😂

In a world driven by material success, where wealth is the dominant yardstick for achievement, most of us find ourselves chasing a dream that often leaves us feeling empty. The truth is, 98.5% of people are not rich nor wealthy, yet society conditions us to believe that economic success is the only measure of a successful life. But what if we could change that narrative? What if we redefine success based on the things that truly bring us joy, fulfillment, and peace?

Like, why not, dreaming of a motorcycle ride with my daughter and going all the way to Okinawa? I felt joy just by having that thought. Well, that moment and others like it, are exactly what led us to create a new way of measuring success, one that embraces the softer, quieter moments in life—the ones often overlooked in the hustle for financial gain.

Why We Created This New Measure of Success

It all started with a simple realization: the moments that truly make us feel alive aren’t tied to how much money we have in the bank or what kind of car we drive. They’re the moments spent with loved ones, the joy of a creative project, or the quiet beauty of nature. The warm sunlight pouring through your window in the morning, the first sip of coffee that warms your soul, or the way a butterfly floats by, undisturbed by the weight of the world.

Yet these moments, which deeply affect our emotional well-being, aren’t measured. They don’t show up on a paycheck, they can’t be deposited into an account, and for many, they aren’t even acknowledged. That’s where we saw an opportunity to shift the focus from material success to what truly matters.

The Balanced Life Index: A New Way to Measure Happiness

We’ve created a system of simple, human-centered metrics to quantify these fleeting moments of joy, creativity, compassion, and connection. It’s called the Balanced Life Index, and it offers a way to capture and celebrate the richness of life that isn’t tied to wealth. Here’s how it works:

• Moments of Joy per Day (MoJ/day): Measuring the small instances of happiness—a shared laugh, a good meal, or a quiet, peaceful moment.

• Acts of Kindness per Week (AK/week): Counting your compassion, whether it’s helping a neighbor, listening to a friend, or offering a smile.

• Nature Joy Moments per Day (NJM/day): Capturing the awe and calm that comes from connecting with nature, like watching the sunrise or listening to the rain.

• Creative Output Score (COS/week): Encouraging creative expression in everyday life, whether it’s writing a song, cooking a new dish, or solving a math problem with your kid after school.

• Quality Connections per Week (QC/week): Measuring the depth of our relationships and meaningful interactions with others.

There could be others like, measuring Gratitude, or Learning and Growth. What if we had an APP with a feature where individuals simply press a button to log these moments when they happen. Example:

• Morning sunlight through the window = 1 NJM/D (Nature Joy Moments / Day)

• Spotting a butterfly while walking = 1 NJM

• Hearing the rain outside = 1 NJM

• Watching the full moon after work = 1 NJM

Total at end of the day = 4NJMs

Impact: By fostering awareness and appreciation of these nature moments, this measure encourages mindfulness and gratitude, grounding people in the beauty of the present moment. It also serves as a subtle reminder that happiness isn't always found in grand experiences but often in the small, natural wonders we encounter daily.

Shifting Focus Away from Economic Success

Our goal is simple: to help people realize that success doesn’t need to be measured by how much you own or earn. For most of us, life’s most profound joys come from things money can’t buy. By recognizing and quantifying these moments, we hope to inspire a shift in perspective—a move toward a life filled with meaning, connection, and peace.

Ultimately, this new system is designed to lessen the overwhelming power of material success as a marker of a life well-lived. In a world where so many of us are not wealthy, this framework offers a reminder: true success is found not in what we own, but in how we live, love, and connect with the world around us.

Did you laugh a bit today because of a comment by a colleague? That’s a life well-lived. Did you feel the warmth as your baby girl hugged you this morning before going to school? She is the essence of a fulfilled life. Did you have a deep conversation with your lovely wife? That’s a sign of a meaningful life.

Let’s redefine success together—one moment of joy, kindness, and connection at a time.

Thanks for reading. Abrazos.

Diego Rojas