The Secret to Defining Your Success
For years, I believed that success was about titles, awards, and external recognition. I thought that if I earned the right job title, the impressive salary, and the accolades from others, I would feel fulfilled. More recognition = more success, right?
But here's the truth I’ve learned the hard way: Success isn’t about what others define for you—it’s about what you define for yourself.
As I continued to achieve all the external markers of success, I felt a growing emptiness inside. I was “winning” in the eyes of the world, but I wasn’t truly happy. I wasn’t aligned with what truly mattered to me. It was in that moment that I realized I was chasing someone else’s version of success, not my own.
In Chapter 10 of my book, Always Squeezing Lemons, I dive deeper into this realization. Success is something you define for yourself, based on your own values, goals, and purpose. And when you live in alignment with those things, fulfillment follows.
What I Learned About Defining Success
Success Starts with You
Success doesn’t come from meeting someone else’s definition of achievement. It begins with you—your desires, your values, your goals. You get to decide what success looks like for your life. It’s about what you want to achieve, not what others expect you to achieve.Internal Fulfillment Over External Validation
For so long, I chased external recognition—titles, promotions, and awards. But I’ve learned that this is a never-ending cycle. The real reward isn’t in others’ acknowledgment. It’s in the satisfaction that comes from living a life that aligns with your personal values and purpose.Purpose Drives Everything
Success isn’t about reaching a fixed destination. It’s about alignment with your purpose. When you base your actions on what truly matters to you, success will naturally follow. Purpose is the fuel that drives everything—from your daily choices to your long-term goals. When you live with purpose, every step you take is a step toward success.
The Truth About Success
The truth is, you are the only person who can define your title, your success, and your worth. No one else has the power to decide for you. Success is deeply personal, and it’s time to stop letting others shape what it means for you.
If you're ready to take control of your success and live in alignment with your true purpose, it starts with defining what that success looks like for you—and then taking intentional action to live it out.
P.S. How do you define success for yourself? What’s one small step you can take today to align more with your true purpose
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