If there’s one thing I’ve discovered after raising my own kids—and now watching my grandchildren grow up—it’s that true success looks a lot different than the glossy magazine version we so often see.

When children move from one stage to the next, you get a front-row seat to life’s ultimate masterclass on patience, resilience, and growth.

Along the way, you start seeing success in a whole new light.

I used to think “making it big” was all about promotions, paychecks, and prestige.

But as I watched my kids grow into adults who navigate their own careers, relationships, and personal passions, my perspective shifted.

Below are nine insights into success that I learned the hard way—simply by being around the wonder that is a child growing up and stepping into the world.

1. Success takes time (and that’s a good thing)

Have you ever tried rushing a toddler to walk before they’re ready?

It doesn’t go well. They wobble, they fall, and eventually, they get there in their own sweet time.

The more I saw my kids reach milestones at their own pace, the more I realized how misguided it can be to force a timeline on achievement.

We live in a culture that values “overnight” success stories.

But if you really think about it, most so-called overnight successes took years of preparation behind the scenes.

Kids remind us that growth is incremental.

They don’t go from crawling to sprinting in a day, and neither do we.

So if you’re feeling behind, remember: success is a long game, and there’s no need to rush the process.

2. Failure is part of the process

It’s a fact of life: kids fall off their bikes, flunk quizzes, and miss the soccer goal more times than they hit it.

Yet they keep going, propelled by sheer curiosity and a desire to try again.

As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

I’ve seen my grandchildren bounce back from disappointments with more grace than most adults I know.

The lesson? Each stumble is just another step on the journey.

You might scrape your knee—and your ego—but that’s all part of the package. Failure doesn’t kill success; giving up does.

If anything, those small (and sometimes big) mistakes along the way build a sturdier foundation for lasting achievement.

3. Success isn’t solely measured by trophies and accolades

Remember the days of sticky gold stars on homework or trophies in youth sports?

Kids love those symbols of triumph, and parents can’t help but beam with pride.

But once the moment of glory fades, you realize those shiny awards aren’t really the ultimate markers of success.

When my daughter was in high school, she won a debate club trophy that ended up gathering dust in a box.

What actually stood the test of time were the communication skills she developed and the friendships she made.

Trophies are great for photos, but true success is about the qualities and relationships you build along the way.

4. You can’t do it alone

As I covered in a previous post, life is much easier when you have the right support system.

Watching my kids—whether it was them stumbling through math homework or dealing with social drama—reminded me that no one thrives in isolation.

Even the most independent child still needs a guiding hand, a cheerleader, or just a listening ear.

Bill Gates once mentioned, “Surround yourself with people who challenge you, teach you, and push you to be your best self.”

Kids take this principle to heart almost instinctively.

They form little clusters in the playground, they turn to teachers, or they run to mom and dad for help.

In the adult world, we sometimes pride ourselves on doing it all solo, but that’s rarely how genuine success happens.

The more you can collaborate, learn, and lean on others, the better equipped you are to reach your goals.

5. Flexibility beats rigidity

Have you ever seen a toddler try to assemble a puzzle piece in the “wrong” spot?

They might try to jam it in three or four times before calmly rotating it and discovering the correct angle.

There’s an adaptability in children that I’ve always admired. They’re not set in their ways yet, so they naturally pivot.

In the grown-up world, staying flexible can be the difference between withering under stress and thriving when circumstances change.

Life throws curveballs—a job loss, an unexpected promotion, a shift in your personal goals—and being able to pivot gracefully is key.

Kids teach us that if Plan A doesn’t work, there’s always a Plan B, or C, or D.

Success often blossoms when we allow ourselves to adapt without clinging to a single rigid path.

6. It’s about curiosity, not just ambition

When my grandkids visit, they ask roughly a thousand questions before lunch.

“Why is the sky blue?” “How do fish breathe?” “Why does Lottie (my dog) bark at the mailman but not at me?”

They’re curious about everything—and that curiosity fuels their learning.

Adults often replace curiosity with raw ambition. Don’t get me wrong, ambition has its place.

But if we focus too heavily on the end goal, we risk missing the mini-adventures and valuable lessons along the way.

Being curious opens doors to fresh ideas, new collaborations, and different viewpoints that can ultimately enrich our success.

When we stop asking questions, we stop learning—and in my experience, that’s a surefire way to plateau in our personal and professional lives.

7. Small wins matter more than you think

Whenever my kids achieved something small—like figuring out a tough math problem or learning to tie their shoes—it was cause for celebration.

They practically glowed with pride.

As adults, we sometimes overlook these “little” victories because we’re so fixated on the big finish line.

But focusing on small achievements creates momentum.

It’s much like climbing a staircase; each step brings you closer to the top.

When you acknowledge those incremental gains, you build confidence and keep your motivation fueled.

Over time, those small wins stack up and transform into something truly remarkable.

It’s not just about the destination; it’s about noticing the progress that gets you there.

8. Genuine joy is a critical component

My youngest grandson loves to draw, and he’ll scribble on paper for hours without a second thought to how “good” his artwork is.

The look on his face is pure delight.

Watching him taught me this: if you’re not finding even a shred of joy in what you do, no amount of success will truly satisfy you.

Yes, we all have responsibilities—work, bills, errands—but kids remind us that enjoyment shouldn’t be sacrificed entirely in the pursuit of achievement.

If you hate every minute of the path you’re on, you might want to reconsider what success really means to you.

This is backed by experts like Brené Brown, who has noted that “we have to choose courage over comfort,” but that choice should also move us closer to a life we find fulfilling, not just a life that ticks the success boxes.

9. You never really “arrive” at success

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from my kids is that development doesn’t stop.

First, they learn to crawl, then walk, then run, then they’re off to school and navigating teenage years.

Each milestone felt monumental, but it was never the end—just the start of a new stage.

I can’t tell you I have all the answers, but I do know this: success isn’t a final destination.

Just like children keep growing, so do our aspirations and opportunities.

Every time you think you’ve “arrived,” you find another level to climb or a new area to explore.

Embracing this perspective keeps you humble, open to learning, and ready for whatever life throws your way next.

It also takes the pressure off to hit some mythical finish line because there’s always more to discover.

To sum up

Let’s face it: once you’ve witnessed how kids learn, adapt, and blossom, it’s hard to see success the same way again.

You come to realize that what matters isn’t just that you “win” but how you grow, who you become, and whether you stay true to your values along the way.

Success can be messy. It can involve a lot of falling down—and sometimes scraping your knees.

But if you let yourself remember the wide-eyed wonder of a child, that so-called “mess” becomes part of the adventure rather than a reason to quit.

So, here’s my question for you: How will you redefine success, now that you’ve seen it through the eyes of a child?