How Do You Define Success?
Posted on November 09, 2023 by Cathryn Noyes, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
Everyone has his or her unique definition of success. Some define success in dollars or titles. Others define success as freedom & flexibility.
I heard a great quote yesterday by Joseph Campbell: “If the path before you is clear, you are probably on somebody else’s path.”
Are you forging your own unique path or are you following a path laid out by others as the way to achieve success? Are you on a deeply considered journey that embodies your values, perspectives, and dreams? Or is it a well-trodden path to success as defined by society, your family, your colleagues?
In America, success typically comes from 3 things: money, power and fame. Most of us will not achieve great wealth, power or fame, but does this mean that we can never be successful? Are we all doomed to be failures?
Last fall I published a blog called “Are You on the Right Ladder?” that talked about how we can get on a path and doggedly pursue our goals, but one day we pick up our heads and wonder “How did I end up here?”
If you are feeling unsettled and unfulfilled, it may be time to revisit your definition of success. The fundamental question is, are you wholeheartedly moving through your life thoughtfully and enjoying the journey? What if you created your own, unique definition of success that focused on things that matter to you? There are many perfectly valid ways to consider your self-worth. You can measure by success by degrees of generosity, kindness, impact, wisdom, well-being, self-fulfillment, giving, relationships, or joy for example.
Reflecting deeply about what truly matters to you and aligning your life around them may illuminate new ideas or goals. It is likely to require some changes and you may feel pressured to follow other people’s definition of success, and that can be scary. But isn’t it worth the effort to be your true, authentic self? If you define success correctly, you can succeed every day.
