Success is an interesting beast.
People want it, but what success looks like for one person can be vastly different for another. How you measure success is based on your own experience and your own perspective on life. It is not a clear-cut standard that we can define our life by and nor should it ever be. You need to look deep inside yourself and determine your own success markers.
Why setting success markers can make a difference
Have you ever heard of bright shiny object syndrome? Well yes, it is imaginary; but I can honestly say that I suffer from this affliction. For those of you who are not in the loop, bright shiny object syndrome is when you’re easily distracted by other projects or things that stop you from working on the project you’re on.
By setting success markers, you can be really clear on the goal you are working toward and reduce the tendency to stray from the target.
How to choose your markers
So how can you choose the right success markers for you? It’s all about making a choice around what you want in your life and what you don’t. Think about what is important to you. What are your values? Who do you value? Think beyond money; think about the achievements you want to reach, both personally and professionally.
Some examples that may help you along:
- Graduate from University
- Buy a car
- Write a book
- Start a business
- Buy a house
- Have a family
Success in your business and career can be a whole other set of markers. For example, it may be that you want to win over a particular client, start a speaking career, win a promotion or even launch a new campaign onto the market.
It’s not just about the big stuff
And then there are other success markers that may seem insignificant in comparison to the big stuff but are no less important:
- Meditating each day for a month
- Exercising regularly
- Writing a gratitude journal daily
- Volunteering at a local charity
- Spending quality time with the family
What I have learnt is that life isn’t about the big things… it’s about moments. When you look back on your life, it’s not about what you were given, what you bought or even how much you earned, it is about the moments we have given ourselves and those we have held closest to our heart.
Changing the goal posts
It’s important to remember that when you set your success markers, they can be changed. Life isn’t about achieving results at all cost, but rather it’s about experiencing each and every part of what life has to offer and sorting out what you want. So in your journey, it’s ok to change your path.
Here’s a thought, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. That may sounds as though I am kidding, but I’m not. I want to continue to evolve and learn and grow each and every day. My goals change with how I change. My dream book is overflowing with things I want to achieve in my life but it’s ok if that vision evolves with me. Fluidity is good for you!
So what is important to you?
When you consider what is important in your life, when you really strip away the monetary things, the actual stuff we own, we are just left with who we are. Who you are as a person is truly the sum of your success. Maybe you raised children, maybe you were a teacher, maybe you ran a business, maybe volunteered, and maybe you did it all. But remember without the core of self, you would not be who you are today.
So perhaps rather than measuring our lives on what you’ve accumulated, maybe we need to begin a new dialogue that includes who we are and what we stand for.
Isn’t that the type of success you want to be known for?
