How do you define success in life?
I’ve always believed that success means achieving something meaningful in life. A good career, financial independence, a happy family and perhaps a little recognition.
But recently, I’ve discovered that success can also involve two feet, a dance instructor and a complete misunderstanding of left and right
Yes, I decided to learn Salsa.
I had watched people dancing Salsa on videos. They looked so graceful, so confident, so effortlessly romantic. Two people moving together as if they were born knowing the steps.
I thought, why not me?
So I enrolled in a class, bought myself some dancing shoes and arrived with the confidence of someone who had already won a dancing competition.
That confidence lasted approximately four minutes.
The instructor smiled and said, “Just follow the rhythm.”
Easy enough.
Unfortunately, my feet had their own rhythm. My left foot went right, my right foot went somewhere completely different, and my brain was desperately trying to organise a meeting between the two.
“One, two, three⦔
I managed one, two and something that looked suspiciously like a medical emergency.
My dance partner stepped back.
The instructor smiled encouragingly. “Relax! You’re doing fine.”
I wondered whether he was teaching Salsa or practising the art of diplomatic lying.
By the end of the class, I hadn’t mastered a single proper step. But I had discovered muscles I didn’t know existed, embarrassed myself quite efficiently and laughed more than I had in weeks.
And strangely, I went home feeling successful.
That got me thinking.
For years, I’ve measured success through big achievements. We celebrate promotions, qualifications, financial milestones and impressive accomplishments. We compare our lives with others and sometimes feel we’ve fallen behind.
But perhaps success has a much simpler definition.
Perhaps it’s having the courage to try something new when nobody expects you to.
It’s laughing at yourself instead of being embarrassed by your mistakes.
It’s discovering that you’re still capable of excitement, curiosity and learning.
It’s having dreams that don’t necessarily come with a deadline.
And sometimes, it’s simply showing up to a Salsa class, knowing perfectly well that your feet might betray you.
Life isn’t a competition where everyone must reach the finish line at the same time.
I may never become a brilliant Salsa dancer. I may never spin gracefully across a dance floor or make anyone say, “Wow!”
But if I can keep learning, laughing, loving and finding new reasons to wake up excited, I think I’m doing rather well.
So, how do I define success now?
Success is not about how perfectly you dance through life. It’s about having the courage to keep dancing, even when you get all the steps wrong.
And tomorrow, I’m going back to Salsa class.
My feet haven’t agreed yet, but I believe in giving everyone a second chance.
