What does success mean to you? Before I share Webster’s definition, I want you to sit and really think about the meaning of success.
I ask you to do this because I have heard this word come up a lot recently. I hope your next book is a success. Has your publishing company been a success? This project was a huge success! Then, I’ve also heard the word successful quite a bit too. She is so successful. She has it all. He is a hardworking, successful man.
It made me wonder if success means the same thing for everyone. So of course I went to my number one person to bounce ideas off of- my husband. I asked what success means to him. His reply was simple. Winning.
Because opposites attract, and he’s the yin to my yang, my idea of success is a little different from his. My definition of success is reaching the goals that you set for yourself. For me, that means leading with love and being a positive impact to society.
Then I polled friends. I asked them what it means to be successful. Here are a few of the responses:
- Climbing the corporate ladder and being better with each step
- Finding true happiness
- Financial freedom
- Spiritual enlightenment
- Finding a job that fulfills you
- Being the type of human my kids can be proud of
Interesting.
Now here’s Webster’s definition of success:
1
a: degree or measure of succeeding
b: favorable or desired outcome
also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
2: one that succeeds
I want to share with you a podcast that speaks about values. It seems like values are the driving force behind each person’s individual definition of success. In this podcast, Leta goes through a long list of values where you can identify which ones are most important to you. Then you can reflect on your current goals and actions to see if you might want to redirect things to better align with your values.
You can listen to her episode here: StatusLifewithLeta
I also want to share some insight from a recent wellness convention, Wellscene, in Atlanta, Georgia. The creator of this event, Gabrielle D’Auria, invited respected women in the field of health to speak to 150 women about different topics. During one panel, “Burnout and Busyness with Michelle Goodloe, Dr. Sarah Druckman, and Ciji Townsend” , the three women talked about having it all. The bottom line is having it all means entirely different things for each individual. One said yes, you can absolutely have it all, just not all at the exact same moment. You can be a great mom, a thriving business owner, a thoughtful friend, a supportive spouse, and a healthy woman. You just can’t focus on all of those things at the same time. Another expert said she didn’t know if you could have it all, but you can have what’s important to you. That was an invitation to think about what really matters in your life and to focus your energy there. Too many times we give our time and energy to things that are not at the top of our priority list. Reflecting on my own life, I found several areas where I could trim the fat on where I spend my time and energy. The third expert said yes, you can have it all, but having it all means something completely different for her than the other two women. This third doctor is not, and has never been, a spouse or mom. She is 42 years old and feels like she has it all. She has her medical practice, friends, a dog and horse that she adores, and a great sense of worth. So really, success and having it all go back to what you value in your life.
As we close 2023 and open space for 2024, I am going to do an audit on my values, time, and energy. I want to be clear as to what success means for me personally, professionally, and for my family unit. I want to make sure my goals are set accordingly, and my time is being spent on what aligns with my values.
I hope 2023 was a success for you, however you define being successful. And I wish you all the best in 2024! As always, thank you for your support.