Redefining Success as a Means for Change

⏳ READING TIME: 5 minutes

Ever been at a job where you’re acing it, getting high-fives, climbing that ladder, making it rain, but deep down you’re as thrilled as a wildebeest at a crocodile pool party? Welcome to a pivotal part of your identity awakening (ie. quarter/mid/third/always life crisis) ☀️

It can be a tricky time. You’re on the highway to success, but you’d rather be on a rollercoaster to, well, anywhere else. 

Whether you’re new in your identity awakening or 3 seasons deep into the ambiguous Netflix series that is your life, it may be time to dive deep and define what success looks like for you.

The operative word here being you - not your parents, not your older sibling who gets all the attention and glory, and not the hot shot friend who seems to be dropping bills on fancy dinners every night. You. The curious-for-more, get your hands dirty, problem solving whiz seeker of life.

So, what’s your flavor of success, and how can shaking up that definition swing open doors to new, exciting opportunities and careers that satisfy your overactive squiggly souls? So glad you asked, let’s dive in.

Success isn’t a fixed destination but a dynamic, ever-evolving journey. (if someone doesn’t make that a motivational office poster asap then I QUIT). The Oxford dictionary’s definition “the achievement of a goal” clearly never met an actual, multi passionate human from the 21st century 😈. Success for us is about the journey, not just the destination. We’re the roadtrippers, not the “let’s get there as fast as possible” folks.

By swapping the traditional yardstick for one that measures the joy of the journey, you’ll find some alternative success metrics that might tickle your multi dimensional soul (and maybe your fancy too):
 - Chasing Impact (over chasing income)
- Collecting Knowledge (over collecting titles)
 - Celebrating Experiences (over celebrating promotions)
 - Making Meaningful Connections (over making business deals)
 - Work-Life Integration (over work-life balance)
 - Creating Your Script (versus reading from the script)
 - Seeking Adventure (versus seeking stability) 

Now, I hear you. I WANT IT ALL - the money, the impact, the glory, the deals! Well, you  can! There is no one-size-fits all, no ‘right’ definition of success. The above are merely the offbeat metrics of success that often resonate with the ‘souls of today’ at some point in time, just to show you what else is on the menu. Your definition of success can and should be as unique as you are, you precious snowflake you ❄️.

Okay but how does this snowflake figure out its definition of success? Here’s a recipe to try out:

1. Define your values: Understanding what you value will help you get closer to what success means for you. To start, make a laundry list of values that are important to you. Here’s some exercises to get the ball rolling:
    - Reflect on the past: When were the happiest, most proud and most satisfied. What were you doing? Who were you with? What other factors in your life contributed to those feelings?
    - Reflect on the present: What is currently making you feel secure? What is currently causing you dread? What are some things you wish you could make more time for?
    - Reflect on the future: Write your own eulogy (sounds morbid but it’s a powerful exercise). Take 10 minutes, have at it and notice the words, experiences and feelings you used in defining how you want to be remembered.

2. Prioritize your top values (the hardest part!): Go through your list of values and compare each one to the next, placing them in an order. Look at the first two values and ask yourself if you could only satisfy one, which would it be? Continue on the list. From here take a look at your top 5 and see how you feel - do they resonate?

3. Define success: With your list of values, write out what success means for each one in the context of your life and career. 

4. Make them visible: Scribble, paint, doodle those values and your success definitions somewhere you’ll see it everyday.  

5. Revisit often! Just like the seasons change, your values might too. So, recheck every six months or when life does a plot twist. 

Your quirky success definition is your treasure map. It shows you where to dig for gold. It becomes your compass, helping you decide which opportunities align with your values and aspirations. Here’s some ways this treasure map can help you out when you find yourself in a pickle or feeling stuck in a jar of pickles: 

1. Unlocking New Career Paths: New doors to uncharted territories suddenly open and become possibilities. You'll find yourself more willing to explore new career paths, even if they diverge from your regular targets. You might take calculated risks, pursue different roles, or even venture into entirely new fields that better align with your values and aspirations. 

2. Pursuing Job Changes: You'll be better equipped to assess if your current job or company aligns with your values and vision. This clarity makes it easier to decide whether a change is in order, and if yes, what the new opportunity requires to satisfy you.

3. Means For Redefining Your Role: You can use your success metrics as a means of reflection. Is what you’re currently pursuing aligning? If not, can you pivot, consider exploring ways to inject more of what matters into your existing role, suggest ways to innovate your current company, or use it as personal leverage to negotiate new terms? 

4. Starting Side Gigs: You can explore ways to satisfy parts of you that may currently be unsatisfied. This can lead to starting a new hobby, a passion project, a side hustle or a new business for yourself altogether.

The process of defining your values and success metrics is more than just an exercise in self-reflection. It's a dynamic force that propels you toward a career that is authentically yours. So, take the time to ask those fundamental questions, define what truly matters to you, and watch as new opportunities unfold and pathways to success become clearer. Embrace the uniqueness of your journey, and, in doing so, you'll find yourself breaking free from the grip of career stagnation and stepping into a world of endless possibilities 🌟