No matter how old you are, where you’re from or what you do for a living, we all share something in common—a desire to be successful. We all want to achieve success so we can live a comfortable life—have financial freedom, drive a nice car, and live in a big beautiful house.
Or do we?
Several years ago, my business consumed my days (and nights), I was working way too hard for disappointing results and I was in despair of ever achieving success. Feelings of doubt and uncertainty were becoming all too familiar and I was perilously close to giving up because I felt like a failure.
For me, it’s often in those dark moments that I seemingly rise above the cluttered thinking, emotional chaos and find a flash of insight, a new truth or discover inspiration that propels me past the abyss and into the light.
In this case, it was a question that pulled me out of the abyss; What does success really mean to me? I began questioning how I thought of success; I have to be successful to be comfortable. When I have a big beautiful house, I’ll be successful. When I have a multiple six-figure income I’ll be successful.
My realization was success was in the future, not here and now; success was associated with acquisition and the metrics I had been using for success was money. Not wanting to sound melodramatic (well, okay, maybe a little bit) that was a turning point for me, my business and my life. Yes, it was a game-changer. Why? I realized I would never achieve the success I was chasing because in my heart of hearts, it wasn’t what I wanted, needed or desired.
So, here’s the question for you: Are you striving to achieve someone else’s definition of success or do you want to stop, create your definition of success and claim it for yourself?
Whether we like it or not, we’ve been duped into adopting a universal definition of success that has more to do with the lifestyles of the rich and famous than living a fulfilling and rewarding life.
Granted, although we know fame and money do not equal success or happiness, we have a hard time putting that belief into practice. Unfortunately, that often leads us to dark places in our personal and professional lives. It sure did for me.
As women entrepreneurs, we can be our harshest critic and judge. I get that and I invite you to close the door on that critical voice and have a conversation with your heart and soul. That’s where you’ll find your definition of success…it’s in there, patiently waiting to be discovered.
If you want to discover your definition and explore what it means to you to be successful, here are some questions that may help you get started and boost your curiosity:
- Are you striving to achieve someone else’s definition of success?
- Are you willing to give yourself permission to create your definition of success and claim it for yourself?
- What does success mean to you (business, financial, spiritual, relationships, life)?
- How will you know when you’ve achieved it?
- What will you have to release so that you can achieve success on your terms?
I’d love to see your answers so please post below – and remember, this is your life and your future so make it count!
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