Beyond Titles & Paychecks: Embracing a New Holistic View to Redefine Success

Forward thinkers and change makers, what does success mean to you? As our world/industries/businesses evolve, so does our definitions and understandings of success. Let’s look at some definitions of what success means. I'd love to hear your experiences and reflections, but first, let me share mine.

1. Mental and Physical Well-being:

The age-old adage, "Health is wealth," has transcended from being just a saying to becoming a way of life for me. The importance of mental resilience, emotional agility, and physical vitality can't be overstated. Think about it: How often do we hear about top CEOs, innovators, and thought leaders emphasizing meditation, physical workouts, or regular health check-ups? These practices not only enhance our cognitive abilities but also improve our emotional intelligence. Are daily routines like yoga, meditation, or even brisk walks gaining a permanent spot in your calendars? I know they rank high on my to-do list each and every day. Without these, I don’t think ‘success’ comes as easily; especially centering myself before a big launch or training event.

2. Valuing Free Time:?

In an age where every minute can be monetized, the importance of unscheduled, 'free' time is often lost. I am very guilty of this! Yet, it's during these unstructured moments that creativity is often sparked. It’s not just about "doing nothing" – it's about allowing our minds to wander, to dream, to innovate. How often do you find your next big idea coming to you not during a scheduled brainstorming session but perhaps during a quiet evening walk or early morning meditative reflection? Some of my best ideas come from ‘future projecting’: imagining the best, most outrageous outcome and then working backwards to make it happen. I love nothing better than reverse engineering my dreams.

3. Job Satisfaction:?

In the grand scheme of professional life, each role has its unique hue and value. Finding joy in what we do daily, feeling aligned with our organization's larger mission, and believing in the immediate tasks at hand are increasingly central to our professional satisfaction. Do you work remotely or are you an entrepreneur? Then you wear many hats! Make sure you schedule time in your day to do things you like, not just spending all of your days tackling that dreaded must do list. Take inspired action. Have you ever found yourself willingly diving into a project, not just because of its financial prospects, but because it resonated with your core beliefs and passions? This is what I am talking about! For me, this is content creation. Once you find this, you often look up from your computer and find that hours have literally flown by.

4. Job Title and Salary:

Yes, these matter. Sigh. Although once considered the only hallmark of success, job titles and fat paychecks are now seen as parts of the puzzle, not the completed picture. Let's be real: recognition is wonderful, and financial stability is crucial. But an evolving workforce is seeking more: opportunities for growth, continuous learning, a genuine sense of contribution and autonomy. Are you in a role that offers you more than just a title and salary? Does it give you stories you're eager to share, experiences you cherish, and lessons that enrich you? If not, please re-read the paragraphs above. In January, I leapt without a safety net and left all of my W2 paying jobs, to make my health, free time, and job satisfaction a priority. I found that when I aligned myself in these areas, the salary I received was higher as I was prioritizing what was important to me, and work flowed easier.

The ultimate question then is: As the lines between personal aspirations and professional goals blur, how do you find your unique rhythm and definition of success in this symphony of life?

So while we are constantly evolving in our professional environment, I urge you to regularly assess and recalibrate your measures of success, as I have found that mine changed depending on what stage of my career I was in. The dynamics of my personal aspirations combined with professional objectives present an introspective look into what success means for today's leaders and professionals. How do you define success on your current career path? I'd love to hear your unique perspective and insights in the comments below.