In a recent discussion with CNBC Make It, entrepreneur and bestselling author Tim Ferriss shed light on the complexities of self-worth and identity tied to career success. He elaborated that when you equate your professional successes with who you are, it can warp your perception of what it means to be successful. This philosophy sets up confusion and unreal expectations. This feeling of empowerment rings especially true for 21-year-old actress Marsai Martin. She got her start as a young actor at the age of nine.
Working steadily on ABC’s popular television show “Black-ish” from ages nine to eighteen, Martin experienced firsthand how early entry into the workforce can warp one’s perception of success. In spite of these awards and accolades and recognition in the industry, she frequently left feeling unfulfilled and unhappily wondering why.
I really don’t like this, and I’m not okay with that. produced by the Park Avenue Armory,” said Martin, looking back on her developmental years in the creative industry.
For the duration of Martin’s teenage years, the worst part was figuring out how to separate her career from her passion. She admitted to constantly questioning, “Is this my life? Is this what I have to do?” So as she got older, her understanding of success deepened—instead of just the career accomplishments.
At just 21 years old, Martin knows success isn’t measured solely by what you’ve accomplished. To him, that means being able to pursue happiness, continuous learning, and maintaining both his fiscal and mental health. She is looking to diversify her experiences and improve her quality of life through wellness and calamity activities. That’s why she’s joined with Chime’s “Mama I Made It” campaign to help teach financial literacy to all young people.
Tim Ferriss, author, entrepreneur and public speaker reminded readers of the need to balance both career pursuits and self pursuits. He recommended that people seriously pursue something unrelated to their regular line of work a few times per week. This new focus can help you develop a more positive outlook on your professional life and deflate the sense of failure and fraud.
One of the world’s leading happiness researchers, Cassie Holmes, provided helpful tips to help all of us find more happiness. In a November 2024 episode of the “Everyday Better with Leah Smart” podcast, she proposed treating weekends like a vacation to recharge and maintain a positive outlook on life.
As Martin adjusted to her own adult transition, she made simple but effective changes to her day-to-day life. Instead of lofty goals, she started scheduling daily tasks like brushing her teeth or taking her vitamins into her calendar. This tactic helped her establish a sense of structure in her life, contributing positively to her mental health.
Reflecting on her earlier misconceptions about success, Martin stated, “I thought that success was one of those things where you’re always running … and you get no sleep, and that’s success because you’re working all the time.” This realization has led her to reconsider what success means for her, personally.
Not even VIPs like Bill Gates and Beyoncé are immune. In a way, they’re lucky because they truly learned the hard way that knitting your sense of self into your calling’s success can be toxic. Their stories are reminders to all that there is danger—often deadly danger—in losing the long view of life and achievement.
Additionally, one of the key creators of Peloton and major influencers in the fitness industry, Robin Arzón, has spoken on this subject. She explained that “hustle requires the confidence to define what the ladder looks like, what the definition of success looks like.” Furthermore, Arzón articulated a unique perspective on energy management: “I’ve long understood my own energy to be a currency,” emphasizing the importance of mindful energy expenditure.