What Does Success Mean When You Work Remotely?

There are many reasons people choose to work remotely. Some are looking for a supplementation of their income, whilst others are looking for a more flexible way to work because they have a disability, young or special needs dependants, or they just want it that way. Whatever one’s reason is to choose this mode of working, it’s important to define the reason you want to work remotely for yourself because this is how you will be able to measure whether or not you are being successful on this path.

Personally, when I started out working remotely over a decade ago, I really wanted three things. I wanted to help small businesses and individuals operate more efficiently. I wanted to be able to work from anywhere. I wanted money to fund my desires to travel to different places as and when I wanted.

However, here’s my truth. The first and the second were almost easy to attain and say, I am succeeding at this. I was working with small businesses in various industries and really could do it from anywhere. I was not obligated to work in one place.

The third piece, though, was a rollercoaster. A seesaw. Up and down. There were times when I would make money to spare to travel, and there were times when I would really be on struggle trips, counting those coins with a racing heart in the middle of those travel moments. But you know what? I was happy (for the most part). However, because my goals have since shifted, especially after I became a parent, I have days when I say to myself, You know what? Maybe I shouldn’t have gone on that trip. Could have saved those coins for something better.

There are days… OK?

So given this background, I really want to talk to you about what success should look like when you are working remotely.

Should you make $20K a year? $50K? Over $100K?

Should you travel to Europe every year?

Should you buy a car every year?

Should you buy a stand every year?

Should you be able to rent in a certain part of the city without having your finances cough?

Should your children be in a certain kind of school?

Should you frequent certain restaurants where you can work and take cute pictures from?

Should you positively impact businesses and make a difference in how they operate while also contributing to their revenue?

Should you be able to define your working hours and have time aside for your family and friends without having awkward conversations with your boss about why you cannot work this weekend?

I could go on. Do you know why? Because success looks different for each one of us. What is a priority for me in 2025 may not be a priority for you. We all want different things at different times in our lives. And it’s so easy to get caught up in wanting all of these things at once. But do we really?

Personally, I am on an ever-learning journey of prioritising my needs and wants. Of the many things I want out of this life, there are a few that are incredibly important to me when it comes to defining success in remote work—and they haven’t really changed much from my initial reasons, to be honest.

What Success Means to Me

Firstly, flexibility. This is so important to me, especially considering my son’s condition and being a single parent. It’s important to me that I am able to show up for him as and when he needs me. Not to be mistaken with showing up with mediocrity, though. Far from it. I am still going to work to deliver my best for my clients. However, it’s very important to me that I don’t get side-eyed when I have to cut a call because he’s having the mother of all meltdowns or I have to assist him with potty routine in the absence of my helper. I don’t want to feel awkward because I have to show up for him or any other loved one.

A few years ago, my dad was in hospital suffering a long battle with pancreatic cancer. I would go visit him at nearly every visiting hour and stay the full hour. In between, he would see me on my phone responding to messages. One time, he asked me, Aren’t you supposed to be at work? And I said, Daddy, I’m working remotely. I can respond to messages anytime and can just step out if I need to be on an urgent call.

Then he asked if me being there that often wasn’t an issue. I said no. They know I’m here, and they know you are not well. He would ask me the same questions on some occasions when I would need to take him or pick him up from chemo too. However, on this day, he told me, You work for good people.

I don’t even remember what I responded back, but I felt what he said. It’s important to work for kind people. It’s important to work for people who afford you the opportunity to show up fully in other parts of your life outside of work. It’s important to have flexibility because life happens to everyone, anytime. I’m blessed to have worked with people who understand this over the years. They make my work more pleasant and motivate me to show up as my best, most authentic self.

Secondly, money, money, money. And it’s not even to travel to some resort somewhere for vacation every now and again. Money for basic living. Everything is expensive! From child care to food to the internet itself that allows me to do all of my work. I’m not even talking about luxuries (yet!).

I’m sure you’ll agree with me that, the world over, the cost of living is not to be messed with, especially after the pandemic. I’m not even going to dance around this one. Money is important to me as it gives me the means to show up and helps me provide for my household as needed. The dollars have to make sense for the time I put in.

A happy household = A happy Tariro = Happy Clients.

Lastly, success to me means impact. I really want to do work that positions me to make a positive impact in this world. I don’t want to just work for the sake of making money or just for the sake of working. Where’s the fun in that? I want to see businesses transform, careers change, and people say, I enjoy the work I do because Tariro makes it easier and more enjoyable.

I want my colleagues to feel this way. I want my clients (and their clients) to feel this way. I want my clients and colleagues to look forward to coming to work and collaborating with me, not just for the business’ bottom line but for the betterment of the communities we serve and the world we live in.

This is how I would sum up what success means to me on my journey of remote work at the moment. Anything else outside of this is honestly a bonus and there have been (thankfully) lots of bonuses along the way, and I am truly grateful.

Defining Your Own Success

At the end of the day, success in remote work is deeply personal. It’s not about ticking off random milestones set by someone else. It’s about aligning your work with what truly matters to you. Whether it’s flexibility, financial stability, impact, or a mix of all three, your version of success should reflect your needs, priorities, and the life you want to build.

The moment you define what success means for you, you free yourself from the pressure of comparison. You stop chasing someone else’s highlight reel and start making intentional choices that serve your goals. And the best part? Your definition can evolve. What mattered five years ago may not be what drives you today, and that’s okay. The key is to stay grounded in what’s important to you and not what social media or industry norms dictate.

So, as you navigate your remote work journey, ask yourself: What does success look like for me? What do I need to feel fulfilled, secure, and in control of my path? Answering these questions will help you create a work life that not only sustains you but also brings you joy and purpose.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about keeping up with things or moments or people. It’s really about staying true to yourself.