Career stress making you feel left behind? Ankur Warikoo's 7 ways to measure success can be the answer to your problems

There are phases in a career where nothing seems to move. You keep working, but the results don’t show up the way you expected. It starts to feel like others are moving ahead faster, doing better, achieving more. That comparison can quietly build pressure over time. In the middle of this, entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo recently shared a perspective that tries to shift how people look at success and progress.

In a LinkedIn post, Warikoo listed seven signs that indicate growth, even when it doesn’t feel obvious. The idea is simple, growth is not always loud or visible. A lot of it happens in ways people don’t immediately recognise.

Feeling uncomfortable more often

Warikoo points out, “You're uncomfortable more often than you used to be. That's not a warning sign. That's the sign.”


The point here is not about stress for the sake of it, but about stretching beyond familiar zones. When work starts feeling slightly difficult or unfamiliar, it often means you are doing something new. That discomfort, while not pleasant, can indicate movement.

Learning to ask for help

Another shift he highlights is around seeking support. “You've started asking for help. That's not weakness. That's intelligence.”

In many workplaces, people hesitate to ask questions thinking it reflects poorly on them. But over time, professionals who grow tend to realise that collaboration and clarity matter more than appearing self-sufficient all the time.

Becoming less dependent on approval

Warikoo also writes, “You no longer need everyone to agree with you to feel confident.”

This reflects a certain maturity. Early in careers, validation plays a big role. Slowly, people begin to trust their own judgement more, even if it is not always backed by others.

Handling bigger problems than before

One of the more practical markers of growth, according to him, is this: “The problems you're solving today would have paralyzed you two years ago.”

Looking back often gives a clearer picture than looking ahead. Tasks that once felt overwhelming start becoming routine, which is easy to miss in daily pressure.

Saying no without guilt

Another point he mentions is boundary setting. “You're getting better at saying no - and not feeling guilty about it.”

This is not about rejecting work, but about understanding priorities. As responsibilities increase, knowing what not to take on becomes equally important.

Thinking long-term about your career

Warikoo notes, “You think about your career in years, not just months.”

This change in mindset can alter decisions in a big way. Short-term wins start to matter less than steady, consistent direction.

Being aware of what you don’t know

The last sign he shares is, “You know what you don't know. That alone puts you ahead of most people.”

Awareness of gaps is often the starting point for improvement. It brings a sense of direction, even if the path ahead is still unclear.

Growth is often quiet

Summing up his thoughts, Warikoo adds, “Growth is rarely loud. Most of the time, it's quiet - happening below the surface, in the choices no one sees.” He further reassures readers, “You're further along than you think.”

For many dealing with career-related stress, this perspective can feel grounding. Progress does not always show up as promotions, salary jumps or public recognition. Sometimes, it is in the way decisions are made, how challenges are handled, or simply how a person thinks differently than before.