How do YOU determine how well you have invested during a given time frame?

I’m a relatively new investor. I started in April 2021 (quite possible almost the worst time ever)

My question is meant to be a discussion. I’m wondering how you folks decide on how much success you have had, let’s say within a year? Is a success beating the s&p 500? On par with it?

To be even more specific how have you folks gauged your success in 2002 year to date? (Because clearly I haven’t been through a downturn like this). Would the benchmark still be beating the s&p 500? Might it be just simply being positive on the year?

Thanks in advance all