Oprah Winfrey's lesson on defining your success

Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Real success feels aligned and Oprah Winfrey said it best...

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Great News Day Team
March 27, 2025

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Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not just about status, income, or hustle - though we’ve all been trained to chase those things.

Real success feels aligned. It starts when you honor what lights you up and trust that meaning matters as much as money.

In one of her most powerful commencement speeches, Oprah Winfrey said it best:

“So, I say to you, forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart and success will come to you.

“So, how do I define success? Let me tell you, money's pretty nice. I'm not going to stand up here and tell you that it's not about money, 'cause money is very nice. I like money. It's good for buying things.

“But having a lot of money does not automatically make you a successful person. What you want is money and meaning. You want your work to be meaningful. Because meaning is what brings the real richness to your life. What you really want is to be surrounded by people you trust and treasure and by people who cherish you. That's when you're really rich.”

Source: Winfrey, Oprah. Stanford University.  Stanford, California.  15 June 2008.  Commencement Address.

⚡A Great News Day Powerful Takeaway

Success isn’t just about what you earn - it’s about what you feel. It’s the quiet confidence of living in alignment. It’s the joy of doing what matters. It’s love, purpose, and presence - with a dash of abundance on top.

You don’t need the fast lane. You just need your lane - and the courage to trust where it leads.

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