The Secret to Success? It Starts with Self-Awareness and This One Question

I recently led a session on Vision, Goals, and Success at the Badruka School of Management (BSM) . As I spoke to the students, I realized just how relevant this session is for anyone feeling stuck in their career or life.

Everyone wants to be successful, but most people today are just going through the motions. You wake up, go to a job that doesn’t inspire you, and at the end of the day, you’re left wondering—is this all there is to life?

For many of us, the disconnect happens because we haven’t taken the time to connect with our inner selves—we haven’t cultivated self-awareness. We’re not leading authentic lives because we haven’t figured out who we are or what we genuinely want.

You’re not alone, I’ve been there too.

For years, I was deeply entrenched in the corporate world. My roles at major organizations were fulfilling in many ways, but something was missing. Despite the success and stability, I felt a growing disconnect between what I was doing and who I truly was. I realized that my true calling wasn’t just about driving profitability—it was about increasing happiness, both in the workplace and in people’s lives.

So, how do you understand who you are and what you want?

Who Am I? The First Step in Self-Awareness

This question might seem simple, but it’s the first step in developing self-awareness. You’re not your job title, your roles, or your daily tasks—you are a product of your beliefs and values. The key is to understand what these are and how they shape your responses to life. This self-awareness is the foundation of true freedom because it allows you to choose your responses, rather than react to life’s triggers.

A turning point in my own journey came when I embraced self-awareness and realized that my core values revolved around helping people find true happiness and thrive.

To get started:

• Identify your core values—what’s most important to you? For me, it was human centricity and a passion for helping people live happier lives.
• Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses—what are you naturally good at, and where do you struggle? My strength was in understanding human dynamics and helping people reach peak performance, but I needed to apply this in a way that truly resonated with my values.
• Ask yourself if your current life aligns with these values and strengths.

You’ll have to figure this out yourself. Don’t get discouraged if you’re struggling with clarity—it’s normal. We all have blind spots and sometimes can’t see the full picture objectively. That’s where a mentor or coach comes in. They can help you see things more clearly, think more strategically, and take actions that truly align with your best interests.

Next, ask yourself: What do I really want?

When you’re clear on who you are, it’s easier to figure out what you want. This means taking a holistic view of your life. What motivates you across all areas—work, relationships, personal growth?

Creating Your Purpose Statement: A Journey Rooted in Self-Awareness

Here’s a powerful exercise: Eulogy Visualization. Imagine how you’d like to be remembered. What legacy do you want to leave? Now, combine your self-awareness with your motivators to create a purpose statement.

For me, I wanted to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by helping them live happier, more fulfilling lives and achieve peak performance. This led me to develop my purpose statement: "My purpose is to use my expertise in human capital to help organizations, create happier, more human centric workplaces while enabling leaders and individuals to live meaningful and happier lives."

With this purpose in mind, I set specific goals:

• Short-term goals: I began sharing my knowledge through speaking engagements, workshops, and writing, including my book, Happiness Habits.
• Medium-term goals: I transitioned from my corporate role to focus full-time on Our Happiness Matters, my consulting and coaching practice dedicated to helping organizations and individuals create environments where happiness drives success.
• Long-term goals: My goal is to spread the principles of happiness and peak performance globally, transforming workplaces and lives through my customizable signature solutions—Happy Self, Happy Teams, Happy Leaders.

Finally, how do you get what you want?

This is where you pursue your own version of an “Inner MBA”—a self-driven, inward-focused journey that equips you with the mindset, behaviors, and actions to lead a fulfilling life.

• Mindset of Growth: Always be open to learning and adapting. For me, this meant continuously refining my coaching and consulting approach to facilitate happiness and human centricity.
• Behaviors and Attitude for Success: Cultivate habits that align with your purpose—like consistently engaging in learning and development activities that enhance your ability to help others.
• Actions that Lead: Take concrete steps that move you toward your goals. In my case, this involved publishing my book Happiness Habits, speaking at TEDx, and creating impactful training programs for people from all walks of life, from students to urban professionals to organizations.

Golden Tips to Maintain Self-Awareness on Your Path to Success

Consider what you’re consuming daily—are you feeding your mind with content that inspires and educates? Try an Information Audit to ensure what you’re reading, watching, and listening to is helping you grow.

Invest in daily learning beyond academics, this could be in your areas of interest.? Listen to podcasts, and practice daily reading for 15 minutes.

Innovation is also a mindset—develop deep knowledge and expertise, and develop breadth in related subjects.

Statements you should become:?

• I am solution-oriented.
• I think out of the box.
• I am innovative—I come up with new ideas.
• I experiment.?

Incorporate the SAVERS framework into your daily routine:

S - Silence or Meditation: Start your day with clarity.

A - Affirmations: Reinforce your purpose and goals.

V - Visualization: Picture yourself living your purpose.

E - Exercise: Keep your body and mind in peak condition.

R - Reading: Feed your mind with knowledge and inspiration.

S - Scribing or Journaling: Reflect on your progress and lessons learned.

Alongside these habits, embrace the EXCEL behaviors to thrive and lead:

Ethical Behaviour

I do the right thing

Responsible freedom—I act responsibly with my freedom.

I know the boundaries of what I can and cannot do.

When I experience unfairness—I have the courage to express my unhappiness in a proper manner.

X-cellence

I am proactive and excellence-focused.

I go above and beyond.??

I deliver on time—I am dependable—I keep my word.

The quality of my work is impeccable.

I have agility. I respond quickly.

Communication

I communicate clearly, promptly, and non-violently.

I ask for clarity.

I speak up without fear of Judgement.

Emotional Mastery

I am mindful.

I am emotionally balanced and resilient.

I am flexible and adaptable.

Leader Skills

I influence by forming deeper connections.

I am trustworthy,

I respect others.

I appreciate and care about others.

I encourage collaborative, supportive, behaviors (volunteering to help others).

By combining self-awareness, clear goals, and consistent action, you can start living a life that feels true to who you are.

Practice SAVERS every day and EXCEL behaviors to achieve your goals.

When you achieve your goals and improve your behaviors, you live a value-driven, purposeful life and move closer to becoming a successful leader who achieves their vision.

What’s your purpose statement? How are you aligning your daily actions with who you truly are? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear from you!