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The 'Success' Scam

The 'Success' Scam

how to redefine success and live life on YOUR terms

June 01, 2025

Have you ever felt like you're living someone else's definition of success?

You check all the boxes: good job, steady income, decent title. Yet something deep inside whispers that this isn't truly your life-or what you're meant to be doing with it.

In the latest episode of And Then I Did This, I sat down with transformational mindset coach Ruta Stasiunaite, founder of Redefining Success.

Her journey from corporate project manager to world-traveler and coach isn't just inspiring. It's a masterclass on what it takes to live authentically.

She’s lived in multiple countries and was in Portugal when we recorded this. As of the release of this episode, she’s moved to Columbia!

I related to her raw honesty about walking away from a conventional path that no longer served her soul.

When Success Becomes a Prison

Ruta's story resonates because it mirrors what so many high-achievers experience: the moment when external validation stops filling the internal void.

She describes her corporate days as living in a "concrete jungle."

This becomes a powerful metaphor for how we can feel trapped by structures and roles we once thought we wanted.

The turning point came when the meaninglessness of her corporate work awakened something within her.

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Sometimes our breakdowns become our breakthroughs, forcing us to confront the gap between who we are and who we think we should be.

The Revolution Starts Within

I related to Ruta's insight that "your thoughts create your reality."

This isn't just positive thinking. It's about recognizing that the stories we tell ourselves about success, security, and self-worth shape every decision we make.

When we're caught in cycles of "should," we're operating from fear rather than authentic desire.

Ruta helps her clients identify these patterns and consciously detach from societal expectations that don't align with their true values.

Real Wealth Isn't What You Think

Perhaps the most profound moment in our discussion was when Ruta redefined wealth entirely. Real richness, she explained, comes from deep human connection and purposeful living.

It's about waking up excited about your day, not dreading it. It's about contributing to something larger than yourself while honoring your unique gifts.

This perspective shift changes everything.

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Suddenly, success isn't about climbing someone else's ladder. It's about building your own.

The Path Forward

For anyone feeling trapped in a life that looks good on paper but feels empty inside, Ruta's message is clear: you have permission to change course.

The path to authentic living requires emotional healing, conscious choice-making, and the willingness to disappoint others if need be, in service of your truth.

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The question isn't whether you're successful by external standards. The question is: are you successful by your own?

As Ruta beautifully puts it, sometimes the most rebellious act is choosing to live authentically in a world that profits from your conformity.

What would change if you gave yourself permission to redefine success on your own terms?

Connect with Ruta Stasiunaite to explore what authentic success looks like for you and discover how to escape the "shoulds" that keep you stuck.

You can get in touch here and find her on LinkedIn and all major social media platforms.

There you'll find her spreading truth bombs and inspirational wisdom about living your life more authentically on your own terms.

I hope you enjoy this episode of And Then I Did This. You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Please drop a comment below if this made you stop and think.

Live a ife of no regrets.

Until next time,

LuRae

Be You and Be Free

P.S. Feeling stuck? Or having the same limiting thoughts from the past come up over and over?

Identify and replace the beliefs that hold you back. Break free from self-limiting patterns and behaviors with the Shadow Work Bundle.