Defining Success by Joy: Declan Jackson on Positive Masculinity and the Pursuit of Happiness

In a society increasingly grappling with the pressures of traditional male expectations, Declan stands out as a powerful example of a positive male role model.

As part of a University Centre Peterborough (UCP) campaign aimed at spotlighting men’s mental health and shifting the focus away from the detrimental effects of toxic masculinity, Declan shared his journey and his philosophy: that the ultimate measure of a life well-lived is joy.

Determination and Forward Momentum

Declan’s journey is one of relentless forward momentum, feeling like it’s “only just beginning” despite years of significant achievement. His path is a testament to perseverance, having worked various jobs—from labourer and personal trainer to teaching English and managing pubs—to keep financially afloat while pursuing his studies. Now immersed in his PhD studies, he reflects on the difference that focus has made.

Declan sees this drive as a product of his history, stating: “I view myself as being the sum of my experiences, and all of that being a net positive outcome on the world and the world around me.”

When facing challenges, Declan’s mindset is uncompromising: he never gives himself the option to fail. He lives by a simple formula for pressure: “the getting it sorted is more important than the coping because I’ll cope when it’s done”.

His approach to wellbeing is similarly practical and positive. He attributes his ability to manage stress and overcome issues to surrounding himself with good friends and deliberately choosing to do work that he enjoys most of the time.

While he finds inspiration in his closest friends and mentors who prioritise kindness and integrity over material success, Declan emphasises that he doesn’t have a single, formal role model. Instead, he focuses on absorbing positive lessons from many different people and sources.

The UCP Foundation and Research for a Net Positive World

Declan’s academic journey began with a strong foundation at UCP. He looks back on his time there as an important turning point, starting at UCP in 2020, which coincided with him moving out and getting his first flat.

Declan and I first met at UCP as Ambassadors. He was infamous for finishing his assignments well ahead of time and getting started on research for his dissertation when the idea of a major project was still a mere twinkle in the rest of his cohort’s eyes. Passionate about championing sustainability on campus, he was solution-driven and always ready to get involved in a good project.

He remains a passionate advocate for the institution, saying he “will always shout the graces of UCP” and “absolutely love[s] that place”. Even two years after finishing, he tries to visit, valuing the deep relationships and friendships he made there. He finds UCP to be very welcoming and is warmed by the success it is achieving.

“I go in still, and it’s like 2 years later now, and they still know my name.”

Following his time at UCP, Declan moved on to complete his Master’s and is currently pursuing his PhD. His doctoral research is focused on a topic with immense social and environmental applicability: “how organisations can, and how we can organise to produce net positive outcomes on society and the environment”.

He explores how businesses can move beyond profit to become a net positive force, for example, by sequestering carbon instead of emitting it, or by investing more in communities than they take away in labour and resources. Ultimately, he aims to apply this research in a consultancy role.

Redefining Success Beyond Materialism

For Declan, the traditional definition of male success—tied to finance, marriage, and material wealth—is a trap. His professional aspiration is rooted in a desire to produce net positive outcomes.

However, his most fundamental goal is deeply personal: he wants to be someone who simply “lives their life and enjoys it”.

He argues that men are often told to aim for “success” in terms of having a wife, a house, or achieving certain financial milestones, but are rarely told to aim for happiness. This focus on external validation creates an inherent issue, leading to unhappiness and a range of social problems. He believes there has to be a “big overhaul in what we constitute wealth and success to be”.

The Transformative Power of Positivity and Joy

For Declan, the path to a healthier society for men involves a complete overhaul of what is considered “wealth and success”. The conversation needs to shift away from merely “fixing problems” to asking a fundamental question: “What are you doing, what makes you happy?”.

Declan believes that adopting a positive mindset can be an immediate and monumental change. He draws on principles of positive psychology, suggesting the use of a “future you” lens. By changing one’s mindset and behaving like you’re living the life that you want to live and you’re happy about it, you’ll start to become happy. This concept acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy, demonstrating that you can flip your perspective in seconds.

Declan’s philosophy delivers a profound challenge: tear down the outdated structures of traditional masculinity and stop seeking validation in status or wealth. The revolution isn’t found in external competition, but in conscious choice. It is found in the joy of creating a life where you are the sum of your positive experiences. That is the ultimate, net-positive success.