The Success Myth: The inspirational guide to defining success on your own terms

by Emma Gannon

OUR OBSESSION WITH ACHIEVEMENT IS A TRAP. THIS IS HOW TO BREAK FREE.

Emma Gannon was thriving in her portfolio career, enjoying a happy personal life and to anyone looking in, she was undoubtedly a success... She was also burned out and confused at why she felt unhappy, yet was still striving for more.

After taking a deep look at her own journey, and interviewing many other successful people on her podcast Ctrl, Alt, Delete, she realised that our overly celebrated and traditional version of success is making us lonely, unfulfilled and dispirited. Now she has worked out a way to do things differently, and here Emma shares her hard-won lessons,

• how to set goals that are ambitious but not overwhelming
• why the 'tick-box' moments in life often feel anticlimactic
• and how to break free from comparison and the endless pursuit of more

A manifesto to craft work (and life) on your own terms, The Success Myth will give you the belief and tools to walk away from 'having it all', uncovering your individual path to fulfilment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Psychology, Memoir, Audiobook

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2023

About the author

Emma Gannon is the Sunday Times bestselling author of eight books, including ‘A Year of Nothing‘ and ‘Olive’, her debut novel, which was nominated for the Dublin Literary Award. Her second novel, ‘Table for One’, published in 2025 with HarperCollins. Emma also runs the popular Substack newsletter, ‘The Hyphen’, which has thousands of paid subscribers. She also hosts creativity retreats all over the world and was a judge for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

Reviews

[Manicpaperclip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self help books are always the hardest! This book felt really geared towards my persona in some ways: millennial woman who grew up with girl boss notions.

But, in other ways I feel like the 'having it all' that is covered are those that have entered high flying jobs, made their money and need to take a step back. OR those who crave buckets of money or fame.

I don't want to slam a book that other people might find useful, as advice is such a personal thing. However to me this book is just a retelling of what most people already know or we have been told time and time again, self-care 101. Be more grateful, don't be too hard on yourself, capatlism is bullshit there's no one answer to success.

What it does do is capture a good summary of the changing attitudes of success and life landscapes in the last 30 years.

Perhaps I am further on in my 'letting go' journey than I thought! Or perhaps just as you may go to different people for advice on different things, Emma Gannon's style just isn't for me.

[Lara Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great first draft

I really wanted to love this book because I do believe that the world is trapped in a lie that has been designed to keep us forever striving and dissatisfied, but....

I wish the author had talked to some "normal people". She makes references to essential workers but it feels like a bit of a token gesture.

A lot of the writing, understandably, is about her own incredible success and her ultimate realisation that it wasn't the success she was really searching for. A lot more is then about the really famous people she's talked to who have realised that the glitz, glamour and money aren't quite the panacea they are made out to be. However she doesn't seem to have spoken to a nurse, or a teaching assistant, a grocery delivery driver or an officer cleaner who feels, and is, successful on their own terms. And that is why I haven't felt able to give it 5 stars.

It had some gems in it and is worth a read (3.5 stars if I could) but to me it doesn't feel like anywhere close to the whole story. I would love to see a revised version one day with a multitude of references to interviews with us more "common folk" and how we are trying to navigate our somewhat rocky path out of the success trap.

[Omid Hosseini]

"افسانه موفقیت" از نشر همراز با ترجمه‌ی امید حسینی منتشر شد 🤩

[Ruby M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally non-fiction books take me a while to read but this was a real page turner. Emma is an excellent writer and I really resonated with the topics explored throughout this book. This definitely was the book I needed at this point in time and I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to this more about what success means to them.

[Sofia Balderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed to read this book! I especially appreciate the writing prompts which help you think and reflect. I found this book very therapeutic to read. Likely a good read for people who think they are stuck in a hamster wheel chasing some evasive goals and never quite feel satisfied with what they’ve achieved.

My only criticism is that the author seems to cherry pick the data sometimes. E.g. when she talks about how having money ain’t the answer, she only gives examples of people who are rich and unhappy. But surely there must be people who are? Like I appreciate that the point is that just money isn’t the answer. But still more evenly presented data would have been appreciated. But the book is so good I didn’t deduct any stars for that.

Some quotes I liked especially:

Success in one aspect doesn’t mean success in all aspects not does it mean the end of the story. Life can continue to be hard and painful once you achieve a goal.

Success is a temporary thrill. Happiness lies in doing daily activities that bring you joy.

We cannot jump ahead, or fast-forward to the good bits, or delete the bad scenes, as much as we might want to.

We grow up with linear thinking, but our lives our cyclical. We go round and round in stages, growing and changing all the time. In and out like tides. It’s a circle of life- we end up where we began. Over the course of you will arrive over and over again, but you won’t stay there. Humans are always evolving. Our definition of success changes too.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can only explain the popularity of this book on the basis that people want and need a secondary source to refer to, to justify their rejection of standard markers of success. Gannon tells readers they don’t need to overwork in pursuit of status symbols; they can quit the rat race and define success for themselves, in non-material ways. It’s that simple. But, the book is as much a memoir or self-promotion tool as it is an advice book. I had no idea who the author was before I began this book and I had, and have, no interest in her. So, it was unwelcome that so much of this book tells the story of her life, career, relationships, etc. The writing waffles with redundancy; unfavourable contrasts with the lucid brevity of James Clear’s Atomic Habits kept springing to my mind. Rather than deep diving into the academic research as Malcolm Gladwell does, for instance, Gannon’s source material extends only to her own life, magazine and newspaper opinion pieces by other journalists, and some interviews for her podcast. It is a pity this book is not remotely rigorous. All in all, I think you can do without it. The fact that so many people disagree shows me just how badly they want to be able to say ‘but Gannon said it was ok to kick back and pursue a different dream’.

[Min Master · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really stumbled across this at the right time for me.

If you are struggling with burn out or are feeling unfulfilled/ lost, I would recommend!

[Leanne Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good overview of how societal expectations can lead to climbing ladders we didn't even want to ascend, and how to construct a more meaningful life for yourself. Some chapters (on fame for example) were less interesting and covered well established ground, but others were revelatory in their synthesis of popular discourse and how things are changing.

[Hestia Istiviani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This my story of how I tried to redefine what "productive" is.

5 bulan nggak kerja kantoran, nggak punya fix income ternyata nggak gampang buatku. Let alone about financial stability (& security). This is me struggling to unlearn what I thought as "self-worth."

Selama 8 tahun, rasanya nggak pernah selama ini jadi "nganggur." Dan selama itu pula aku mendefinisikan produtif sebagai (minimal) "kerja Senin-Jumat 8-5" Terhitung mulai Maret 2023 hingga kini, kesibukanku cuma bikin-bikin acara bebukuan.

Awalnya nggak masalah. Hepi malah. Loh ternyata aku stress. Aku berpikir kalau usia 30 tahun dan "masih begini-begini aja" adalah sia-sia.

Ternyata, aku terjebak apa yang dikatakan oleh Emma Gannon sebagai The Success Myth.

Mbak-mbak ambi satu itu rupanya punya kecemasan yang serupa denganku. Ketika aku nggak punya "achivement", rasanya seperti kehilangan identitas diri. Padahal, yang perlu aku lakukan adalah mendefinisikan ulang apa itu berdaya.

Aku suka sekali bagaimaan Emma terang-terangan mengkritisi dirinya serta sistem kapitalisme yang membuat ketimpangan semakin tampak. Dia juga nggak menutup mata bahwa being white & blonde membawa banyak privilese buat dia selama ini. Tapi bukan berarti hal itu bisa dinormalisasi.

Emma mengumpulkan insight yg ia dapatkan dari wawancara beragam tokoh di siniarnya Ctrl Alt Delete. Alih-alih mendapatkan "resep sukses", Emma malah menemukan bahwa "kesuksesan" itu nggak berupa definisi mutlak. Ada banyak sekali variabel yg berperan di dalamnya.

Sayangnya, kita selalu terpaku pada "resep sukses" meski sudah sangat sadar bahwa orang yang seperti itu cuma one in a million. Mau kita tiru plek ketiplek cara hidupnya, nggak bisa membuat kita jadi kloningannya dia.

👏 Wake 👏 Up 👏 Babe 👏
Dahlah nggak usah tergoda dengan Forbes 30 Under 30 (anyway, most of them ternyata kesandung kasus lho).

Selain mengajak kita unlearn, Emma jg ngasih tau hal yg bisa kita lakukan supaya unlearnnya nggak sekadar teori aja. Sebwa paket komplit ✨

[Windi Astuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that feels like a warm hug. I can relate to the desire to have it all: earn enough, cool job, adopt gentle parenting style, loving family, etc. I think I can juggle everything perfectly.

Until I couldn't.

I resigned from my first job (with 1-month unpaid leave prior to my resignation because I thought all I need is just stay away from work for a moment) and took additional 8-months to finally "recover" and ready for work.

It was the gloomiest era in my life because all I want to be is becoming an ideal mom and the best employee. It took 9 months (in total) to make me realize that life is bigger than just work. And I can fulfill my inner passion and share my energy to other things. Now, I am so done with the success myths.

There are some key points I'd like to highlight from this book:

1. Success enables us to become more comfortable: financially, materially and physically. However, being more comfortable ≠ being happier. Remember the law of diminishing return while adding 'the success factor' results in smaller (or maybe zero?) increases of our happiness level.

2. Be careful with the word BALANCE, as it has tilted to the word PERFECT nowadays. Sometimes life is unbalanced and it's ok. At any point in your life, you have to sacrifice something, and it's ok too!

3. Just because we have the same 24-hours, it doesn't mean we can achieve the same things. Privileges play big role on someone's success journey. Privilege including, but not limited to: education, social class, age, nationality, geographic location, physical abilities, race, gender, physical attractiveness, religion.

4. Being time-wealthy (having time to do what's important to you) is much more likely to increase your happiness than being wealthy.

5. Success is when you can have the right tension between being content with your lot and continuing to improve your life.

All in all, it's a recommended reading for everyone, especially if you think you already passed the big milestone but yet still feel unhappy with your life.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s your concept of success?

Do you feel pressured to have it all? If so, read this book to help you reconsider success and shift your perspective on joy!

“true fulfillment and success are found not in external achievements or societal expectations, but in daily joys, meaningful relationships, and living authentically. By embracing a broader, more personal definition of success, you can navigate life's ups and downs with greater contentment and resilience. Recognizing the myths of perpetual happiness, relentless productivity, fame, and wealth allows you to redefine what truly matters, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Shift your perspective to appreciate the present, and you'll discover that genuine satisfaction comes from within.”

[Uzoamaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the book states, it exists to prompt you to re-examine your relationship with success. It does not have all the answers but it prompts you to think about success in new ways delving into 8 myths including celebrity, productivity, happiness, etc with a chapter reflection with questions that will get you to redefine and reframe success with new lenses.

Like with most reflective books, you end up with a definition only you can come up with for yourself in order to live.

I enjoyed reading this as it is well-written and the myth chapters flowed with an apt afterword.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma writes the best kind of self-help book. Her voice is real. Her advice is not patronising and her suggestions allow for the fact that none of us are perfect and life is messy. She offers ideas without upselling or any sense of forcing her way of being on you. It's a genuinely helpful book.

We can't have everything and that's ok. It's ok to do what works and bin what doesn't. It's ok to play to your strengths and figure things out for yourself that work for you, even if they don't work for other people. There is such a sense here of permission just to be yourself and I'm here for it.

[yashrydz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Wendy Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant, really makes you question what you want from life, what your values are and what success means to you. I've often found that when I've achieved things at work that 'should' make me happy I just feel empty. This book explains why. Highly recommended. I'm now going to go and reread the chapter on productivity.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Success Myth
Letting Go of Having It All – Emma Gannon

I bought this book from Blackwell Bookshop in Oxford last year. From the cover alone, I felt it already gave a glimpse of what was inside. The book contains nine chapters, each unpacking a different myth: there is no success formula; the happiness myth; the productivity myth; the 'you are your job' myth; the celebrity myth; the money myth; the ambition myth; the ticketbox myth; and the arrival myth.
The chapter that intrigued me most was “You Are Your Job’ Myth”—a counterintuitive perspective, especially in a world where people often take pride in tying their identity to their careers.
Overall, the book reminds me that it’s okay to pause, step back, and pursue a different dream. In a world deeply shaped by “success marketing”—which feeds on lust, addiction, expectations, and achievement— Gannon encourages me to remember, and to feel deep in our hearts, that real success lies in looking inward. It’s a kind of definition that isn’t easily shaped by others. It's time to ask ourselves what we truly want (beyond the material) and work backwards to find it. The statement that struck me the most was:
“Do you know the Ultimate Success Formula? Learn and start taking massive action in your life.” Some key points I marked in the book were:
1. We can point ourselves in the direction that feels most right. We are the experts on our own lives, but with so much noise around us, it can be easy to forget that.
2. Life is finite, so every time we make a decision, something else has to give. By doing one thing, we are by definition letting go of another. (pg. 36)
3. It is important to acknowledge that we don’t live in meritocracy. But there is good news; there are some things we can do, and mindsets we can adopt, to even out the disparity and plot our own course to a more successful life. (pg. 52 – 53)
4. It is important to focus in on what you want and even share it, say it out loud or write it down. You become 42 per cent more likely to achieve your goals and dreams, simply by writing them down on a daily basia (pg. 64)
5. Usually, when you improve your own life, you inspire people (without realizing) to improve theirs (pg. 65)
6. Success is remaining present in the difficult and joyous moments of life (and they’re often purely happy), accepting and being in tune with the reality, and learning to be OK with every version of yourself along the way, no matter how you feel. (pg. 87)
7. Instead of creating a series of five-year plans, perhaps we should strip it back to find the small things that increase our chance of having better days in the here and now. If you can’t be happy washing the dishes, you won’t be happy having the nice a cup of tea afterwards. If you can’t be happy right now in whatever way possible, we won’t be happy if all things we ever wanted fall into our laps(pg. 96)
8. Dream it, scheme it, write it down! Experiment with what elements you could integrate into your life now, even if they’re tiny things. (pg. 97)
9. It is so important to trust yourself and make sure you are doing what feels right for you. We all have different limits, lives and goals (pg. 109)
10. A small number of warm relationships can get you a lifetime of happinees; quality over quantity (pg. 259).

There are also some habits mentioned in the book that I personally relate to. For example, on page 106, it discusses “Revenge Bedtime Procrastination”, a term that originated from a Chinese expression about the frustration we feel when overwork and stressful hours leave us with hardly any time for leisure. Is the act of sacrificing our sleep for the leisure time we so desperately want.

Then in the page 144 said that doing something that takes us away from our inner human nature can lead to impostor syndrome, because we aren’t being ourselves. We will never ‘master’ anything fully. We are all impostors. Everyone who is doing important work is working on something that might not work. If you think you’re an impostor, it probably means you’re working on something exciting, new and fresh.

The last part of my book summary is about the definition of success itself. “Success is a dangerous as failure”. Whether you go up the ladder or down it, your position is shaky. When you stand with your feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. When you are moving towards your own definition of success, you feel more balance than you ever have before. So, we can find ourselves earning more and climbing the ladder, but not feeling fulfilled because of it. So the definition of success actually meant personally.

Success is having a job we enjoy and actually want to do (at least the majority of the time); making a difference to other people; having supportive and valuable friendships; and experiencing contentment with our life, not always striving for something more.

Success is a peace of mind. I want to work somewhere where I feel valued, in a role that I am happy in where I feel like I am giving back. I want a job where I can log of at five p.m and spend time with my family without the guilt of checking our phone or emails.

Success for me is being content in my life, having a bit of extra income to use on the fun things in life and have the space to experience life when on holiday. I want to be present in conversation, instead of checking my work phone under the restaurant table.

Traditional success feels like a lot of pressure now, more than it used to be. Quitting when you know something’s not right is empowering and worthy of celebration. We should do whatever it takes to find compassion for ourselves. Every path is different, and we are each moving at our own speed.

If success was once in the climb, then for me, success now lies in the smaller things: finding a hidden-beautiful flower on the way to the office, a strange child smiling at me, having deep conversations with family and friends, spending time reading a book, praying with contentment, and being picked up at home by my husband. Everywhere I look, ambitious women are making peace with this fast-paced life—realizing that joy was in the climb.

Knowing our values can guide us to our true version of success, as when we’re faced with a decision, we’re more likely to make the right one for us, rather than follow the crowd. It can also encourage us to set stronger boundaries to ensure that we’re living our daily lives in alignment with what we care.

RA,
August 2025.

[Jrene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the topic is of great interest to me, the book doesn't excite me.

Unlike Emma Gannon's "Disconnect," the book never captivated me. I hoped for new insights and clear messages with every page I turned. In vain.

It's mostly a collection of statements that others have already made. I also miss the structure, the guiding thread.

The book is finished, and I'm left wondering: So what? It leaves me more unsettled than empowered.

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Gannon's latest work offers a exploration of societal expectations and the pursuit of success, it ultimately falls short in delivering something truly groundbreaking. The book's central message - that material wealth and external validation are often hollow substitutes for genuine fulfilment - is nothing new and merely echoes the countless self-help guides that have come before it.

And while the author's anecdotes and insights from prominent figures provide valuable context, the overall tone feels somewhat preachy. The references to essential workers, while well-intentioned, come across as a token gesture rather than a genuine attempt to represent diverse perspectives. Overall a solid introduction, and maybe more of a reminder read for those constantly trying to do their next big thing.

Notes:
- Kick in the guts: burned out and confused at why she felt unhappy, yet was still striving for more.
- The concept of success has been marketed to us as a one-size-fits-all achievement, involving fame, fortune, and perpetual productivity. But this often leads to burnout, disillusionment, and a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction. The pressure to “have it all” sets unrealistic expectations while overlooking the importance of personal well-being, meaningful relationships, and authentic happiness.
- Trying to maintain a state of constant happiness is neither sustainable nor healthy, often leading to emotional dishonesty and distress. (you people are feeling happy to start with?)
- “I’m exhausted and can’t face this day.” But you can reframe this thought to, “I’m tired because I’ve been working hard and achieving my goals, and I’m proud of the effort I’m putting in.”
- In 1965, a US Senate subcommittee predicted that advances in technology would drastically reduce our working hours by the year 2000. If this hasn’t been your experience, you’re not alone. Instead, it seems that the modern to-do list keeps getting longer. We glamorize overworking, wear exhaustion as a badge of honor, and constantly move on to the next task without taking a moment to breathe. Our working days have even increased by two hours since email became accessible on our phones. Is this relentless hustle really what success looks like?
- Focusing so intensely on productivity has significant downsides, particularly in terms of mental health. There’s a stigma around admitting you need a break, especially for mental health reasons – it’s often easier to claim a physical ailment than to confess to needing a day just to decompress. Despite growing awareness, this stigma persists.
- Technology, while promising to ease our loads, often intensifies the pressure to be perpetually productive. From apps that summarize books in minutes to tools that promise to streamline every aspect of life, the push to do more in less time is everywhere. But this often leads to a SUPERFICIAL ENGAGEMENT with information and a relentless pace that burns people out.
- Think about what feeling you are chasing when being productive: Satisfaction? Feeling enough? Proving something to yourself? Maybe there are other ways to achieve these feelings.
- being constantly ’on’ isn’t sustainable

Favourite quote:
- “Success’ now is in the minutiae of the way I spend my days. It’s committing to doing things that help myself and others. It’s showing up. It’s taking care of myself. It’s paying the bills without losing my mind. Or having a long walk. Or calling a friend. Or having a new adventure. Or meeting my deadline. Or being brave. Or saying no. Or having a lie down. I don’t need someone from Strictly Come Dancing to do my make-up to make me feel valid. I just need to be me. When we unpick the myths, we open ourselves up to a new-found sense of freedom and get to design our lives from scratch.”
- Research shows that status and validation are deeply embedded in our psyche because of evolutionary reasons. Our ancestors gained better access to resources and mates by proving their value to the tribe. Today, status can still improve material conditions, but the continuous pursuit can trap individuals in a cycle of dissatisfaction.
- In terms of Maslow’s hierarchy, money is essential for fulfilling our basic physiological and safety needs – such as food, shelter, and security. Once these foundational needs are met, additional wealth can enhance comfort and convenience, supporting higher-level psychological and self-fulfillment needs like relationships, esteem, and personal growth.

Quotes:
- Sometimes, we use ‘busyness’ as a distraction from making a big decision about our lives. We cover up our feelings with our work, with our diary, with other people’s needs
- “From an early age I picked up on the fact that these celebrities seemed more important, as people listened to them, valued them and felt a connection to them. I saw the premium that was put on a famous person’s opinion. Successful people: I wanted to be around them, amongst them, near them. It’s no wonder I ended up working in the magazine industry. I was fascinated by celebrities and what their lives must be like. Every time I was in Sainsbury’s with my mum, the other kids would saunter over to the chocolate and sweets, while I would run over to the magazine section and feast on the cover photos, wondering what these people’s lives were really like behind the scenes.”

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Success Myth: Letting Go of Having It All," Emma Gannon challenges the traditional societal narratives around success, encouraging readers to redefine it on their own terms. In a world obsessed with achieving more—more fame, more wealth, more recognition—Gannon argues that the pursuit of success has become a harmful myth, trapping individuals in cycles of burnout, dissatisfaction, and perpetual chasing of external validation. The book seeks to dismantle the myth of success as a one-size-fits-all formula, offering a path towards a more authentic and fulfilling life.

One of the central themes is the myth of happiness, which Gannon addresses by pointing out the unrealistic societal expectation that we should always be happy. This relentless pursuit of constant happiness is neither sustainable nor healthy, leading people to suppress other important emotions like sadness, nostalgia, or tranquility. Social media exacerbates this by showcasing curated lives filled with joy, making users feel inadequate. Gannon advocates for emotional authenticity, suggesting that acknowledging the full spectrum of emotions can lead to a richer and more fulfilling life. Reframing negative thoughts, rather than striving for constant happiness, can help manage emotions more effectively, fostering resilience and mental well-being.

Gannon also critiques the myth of productivity, highlighting how advances in technology, instead of freeing up time, have intensified the pressure to be constantly productive. Modern society glorifies overwork, leading to exhaustion and burnout. This relentless hustle culture stigmatizes the need for rest, particularly for mental health reasons. Gannon calls for a reevaluation of how we view work, emphasizing the importance of balance, rest, and setting boundaries. By recognizing that being constantly "on" isn’t sustainable, individuals can cultivate healthier work habits and a more balanced approach to productivity.

The allure of fame is another myth that Gannon unravels. The pursuit of celebrity and recognition often leaves individuals feeling empty and unfulfilled. Historically, people sought fame to leave a lasting legacy, but today’s focus on immediate recognition reveals how deeply external validation has become intertwined with self-worth. Celebrities themselves often express the hollowness of fame, and social media has democratized fame, creating micro-influencers who face similar pressures and mental health challenges. Gannon argues that true fulfillment comes not from chasing fame, but from personal achievements, meaningful relationships, and living authentically. She encourages readers to reassess their measures of success, shifting the focus from external validation to inner growth.

The myth of money is another pervasive societal belief that Gannon addresses. While financial stability is crucial for well-being, the cultural obsession with accumulating excessive wealth creates new stressors and often leads to dissatisfaction. Gannon points out that while money can solve many problems, it doesn’t guarantee happiness beyond a certain point. Studies show that beyond an income threshold, additional wealth doesn’t significantly boost happiness. Gannon encourages a shift in perspective, recognizing that true wealth involves time, happiness, and well-being, rather than just money. Valuing these different forms of wealth can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life, moving away from the endless pursuit of financial gain.

The book also tackles the myth of arrival, the belief that reaching a significant milestone—whether publishing a book, landing a dream job, or achieving a personal goal—will bring lasting happiness. This arrival fallacy, as Gannon describes it, often leads to disappointment and a sense of deflation once the initial excitement fades. She argues that true contentment comes not from reaching specific milestones, but from ongoing personal growth, meaningful relationships, and living authentically. Success, Gannon suggests, should be seen as an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. By focusing on the small, daily moments that bring joy, individuals can find lasting fulfillment and dismantle the success myth.

The key takeaway from "The Success Myth" is that true fulfillment and success are found not in external achievements or societal expectations, but in daily joys, meaningful relationships, and living authentically. Gannon encourages readers to embrace a broader, more personal definition of success, recognizing that the myths of perpetual happiness, relentless productivity, fame, and wealth are not the paths to a balanced and fulfilling life. By shifting perspective to appreciate the present, individuals can discover that genuine satisfaction comes from within.

[Danielle Cappolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Success Myth by Emma Gannon explores the author's experience with burnout while achieving success in her career. 
Gannon honestly explores feelings of loneliness, burnout, emptiness, and dissatisfaction along the path of achieving success. Success is often wrapped in societal expectations, leading people to pursue things they may not necessarily want to do, but feel like they have to achieve. Once they achieve it, there's a sense of emptiness, as the goal was not as fulfilling as expected. 

The writing prompts throughout the book were great tools to reflect on the material. The prompts allow the reader to reflect on their feelings of success and achievement.
The author makes some great points, including the one about time. The greatest wealth is the time to pursue the things that matter to you most. Success looks different to everyone, so each person will need to define it for themselves. 
I would have liked to see more information from a wider array of jobs, especially those in the working class.  
This book is definitely worth a read if you are looking for perspective about what success means for you.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Emma Gannon's Substack, and her fiction; she's someone who it is very easy to relate to in her writings. Books such as these can be so hard to write a review or critique of because it's such a personal journey. As someone grappling with her own self identity and how she is defining success against her own self worth, I thought this would be a great extension on what Gannon already talks about in her Substack, and she does have some important conversations, plus her writing is always brilliant. Like other people though, I do wish she'd taken the chance to speak to some of her readers or colleagues who come from more humble backgrounds; I'm past the point of caring about how celebrities/influencers/personalities: they're just like us! But also not, because of the enormous privilege they wield.

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for sure as it gives you time to think about your definition of success and how much it might be aligned or misaligned with what you actually find important. As a researcher and interviewer myself, I was disappointed by how little the hundreds of interviews and their content were actually mentioned and instead the biggest part of the book is anecdotal experiences by the author. What are those big patterns that you can see across many people? What about more "normal" people instead of celebrities? What was surprising about what they all said? There was a small and short part about some sort of synthesis of the interviews just on the last pages but I would have loved to see more of it throughout the book itself.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book but struggled with it. I wholeheartedly believe in the messages in the book, just found the delivery a bit dull and one sided. As others have pointed out, Emma herself and most of the people she mentions in the book are very successful in the traditional sense and privileged. I feel like that doesn’t really get acknowledged or balanced enough.
For someone like me who’s been interested in these topics for a while, there was also nothing new in this book. That might be different to someone who’s new to the concepts. But I doubt I’m really going to remember anything from this book in a few weeks. It just didn’t grab my attention.

[Mir Shahzad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

True fulfillment and success are found not in external achievements or societal expectations, but in daily joys, meaningful relationships, and living authentically. By embracing a broader, more personal definition of success, you can navigate life's ups and downs with greater contentment and resilience. Recognizing the myths of perpetual happiness, relentless productivity, fame, and wealth allows you to redefine what truly matters, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Shift your perspective to appreciate the present, and you'll discover that genuine satisfaction comes from within.

[Sekar Writes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never been a fan of the flashy, society-defined version of success. The Success Myth challenges this mainstream definition of success, encouraging readers to focus on what truly brings personal contentment. The book uncovers a relatable truth: achieving everything on paper doesn’t always feel fulfilling.

Unlike typical self-help books, it debunks myths about success, happiness, and productivity without offering cliché advice. The reflections at the end of each chapter are a gentle nudge to rethink priorities in a world obsessed with overwork. If you’re ready to question hustle culture and discover what matters most to you, this book is a worthwhile read.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some good writing but didn't feel like there was anything covered that you wouldn't have heard before. The focus on self care as a solution seemed basic and in some places it felt unrelatable. The target audience seemed a much smaller niche of elites as opposed to the averagely successful person, for want of a better phrase. The several mentions of famous/wealthy people the author has spoken to didn't really help with this. Maybe my fault for not looking into it more but I thought it would be more directed at burnout or work/life balance for the average person.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this perspective which dived into beliefs and powerful messages that are pushed by society and accepted as 'norms' because they are prevalent and familiar. I found the way the chapters are structured helpful too because they introduced, then challenged a concept and ended by including questions for the reader to make their own judgements in the context of their own values, beliefs, life choices they've made/are considering. This was reflective of and in keeping with the premise of the book.

[Kate Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never felt so seen. This book feels like thoughts and conversations I’ve had myself, just as in another of Emma Gannon’s books, The Multi-Hyphen Life.

Gannon is an independent thinker who isn’t afraid to pull back the curtain and get real about what it means to live and work in today’s society. Frankly, I’m relieved. The book feels like fresh air and a guiding light.

I’m definitely in the Gannon gang.

[Denise Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Success Myth started off strong - why do you feel like its never enough? why cant you celebrate your accomplishments before moving on to the next? but then got way too into influencer and celebrity culture and for me the message got lost. The questions at the end of each chapter brought it all back together but I found myself wanting to skip ahead to them instead of reading the chapters leading up to them. Maybe this would make a better work book?

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read on re-(defining) success. Some interesting and valuable insights. Lots of reflections on pop culture, success myths, creating & choosing your own path. Nothing super groundbreaking; however, this book was a good reminder and self-reflection tool. I enjoyed questions at the end of each chapter. 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐