BLISS: 5 steps to sustainable success
There was a time when I believed that success was solely about achieving my goals. I chased promotions, pushed myself up the ladder, and craved recognition for my work. The harder I worked, the more I achieved. And the more I achieved, the higher my expectations became. But somewhere along the way, I lost my balance. My energy dropped, the satisfaction faded, and I began to wonder: what if success isn’t just about what you achieve, but about how you grow — and whether it brings real fulfillment? How do you not only reach success, but actually sustain it? And how do you make sure growth doesn't come at the expense of your health, motivation or the quality of your relationships?
Success is more than a title on your business card or hitting your KPIs. It’s also about how you grow, how you sustain that growth, and whether you truly enjoy the process.
That’s where the BLISS model comes in. It’s not a rigid checklist, but a dynamic approach to flourishing — both personally and professionally — without losing yourself along the way.
What is the BLISS model and why should you use it?
BLISS stands for Build, Live, Improve, Share and Sense. These five building blocks offer a sustainable approach to growth, where success doesn’t compete with your well-being — it works in partnership with it. This model helps you move forward with intention while making meaningful impact.
The word “bliss” literally means happiness — and that’s no coincidence. Each letter in the model contributes to your happiness and supports healthy, long-term personal and professional development.
Each element of BLISS builds on the previous one and strengthens the others. Together, they form a cycle of continuous learning, development, and impact.
1. BUILD – Laying the foundation
A strong foundation is everything. For me, this started with understanding my core values: what do I truly care about? For years, I believed that discipline and hard work were the only routes to success. And yes, by working relentlessly, I was well on my way — to burnout. Without a solid foundation of values, vision and direction, I was constantly shifting gears without feeling real progress.
BUILD is about creating a strong, valuable and future-proof structure. This can be your career, a business, or a team.
Why is BUILD the first step?
- Without a solid foundation, everything you build becomes unstable.
- This is your starting point: where are you going and what values drive you?
- It creates long-term value and makes your growth sustainable.
When your foundation is strong, it becomes easier to find balance (LIVE), keep learning (IMPROVE), collaborate and share (SHARE), and stay aligned with your mission (SENSE).
2. LIVE – Success without stress
"A day without working is a day wasted" — that used to be my motto. I felt guilty taking breaks or disconnecting during vacations. I know what it’s like to push through exhaustion, blur boundaries, and confuse busyness with productivity. But without balance, success can’t be sustained.
LIVE is about how you work and live. It helps you strike a healthy balance between productivity and well-being, so you're not just working hard, but also staying motivated and effective in the long run.
To LIVE is to enjoy life — but more importantly, to live and work consciously. It’s about knowing when to switch off, recharge and protect your energy.
3. IMPROVE – Continuous learning and adapting
And then there’s step three. Few things are more dangerous than believing you’ve arrived. That you know it all. I’ve been there. I’ve experienced how easy it is to get stuck in habits that once worked but now hold you back.
IMPROVE is about cultivating a learning mindset. Staying curious, flexible, and open to change. If you cling to old patterns, you’ll miss opportunities — and motivation.
Real success is not about staying the same. It’s about constantly refining your skills, your thinking, and your way of working.
Growth never stops. It’s a continuous loop of learning, adjusting and evolving.
4. SHARE – Connect with others
One of the most surprising lessons I’ve learned is that sharing accelerates personal growth.
You don’t live in a vacuum. Growth becomes more powerful when you share your knowledge, insights and experiences with others. In giving, you receive — new perspectives, deeper relationships and further development.
SHARE means actively contributing to the learning process of others while continuing your own growth through connection and exchange.
Why is sharing essential?
- You gain new perspectives.
- You strengthen your own learning: explaining something forces deeper understanding.
- You build a strong network.
You create real impact — because what you’ve learned can help others move forward.
SHARE can take many forms:
- Mentorship
- Sharing lessons learned with your team
- Active listening and thoughtful exchange
Success is never a solo journey. Strong networks and generous collaboration fuel meaningful growth.
5. SENSE – Living and working with purpose
As a child, I was obsessed with knowledge and growth. I wanted to know where humans came from, why stars existed, what the purpose of life was... I drove my father nuts.
I found my SENSE in learning and development. When I started Expert Academy, everything came together: I was building something that helped others grow, I gained control over my life, and I was surrounded by a community that shared my passion for learning. I got to share that energy with trainers and clients alike.
SENSE is the fifth, and perhaps the most essential element. It’s about the core of your life and work. Why do you do what you do? What drives you?
With a strong SENSE of purpose, everything you build, live, learn and share becomes meaningful. It’s the glue that connects and strengthens all other building blocks.
Bring them into balance, and you’ll create a strategy for success that’s not only effective, but deeply fulfilling.
Which BLISS building block needs your attention right now? And what’s one step you can take today to grow in a sustainable, meaningful way?
