Definition of success
Aug 17, 2018
What’s your definition of success?
Did you know that you get to choose what success is? It’s absolutely true, you do.
I was thinking about this after speaking with a client recently. As she structures her business for the future, she came to the realization that “bigger is better” just doesn’t work for her.
Most business owners would automatically go down the “GROW GROW GROW” path, but that doesn’t necessarily take into account what’s most important to you. For example, if strong, long-term relationships with your clients is an important value, you’d want to be sure to slow down and nurture those relationships. That’s not always easy when all of the marketing buzz around you says “MORE MONEY IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING!”
Years ago when I left corporate to start my own business, I worked with SCORE to help me get started. When they suggested I write a business plan, I came back with a single line: “I want to like my day.” Sound silly? It’s not. I was escaping a lucrative but toxic career that while it paid well, had me so stressed out that I spent my lunch hours lying on the floor of my office, gazing up at the ceiling and trying to calm the pain in my stomach. Most decidedly NOT my definition of success.
I knew if I built a business doing what I love, I’d be healthier & happier. And that was really needed at that point. Does that mean I couldn’t make money? Of course not. I love making money and I’ve learned that doing something I’m passionate about makes it much easier to earn those dollars. So my definition of success is choosing what I do and who I work with daily.
What’s your definition of success? Are you living it now? Good questions to chew on . . .
