Success: The No. 1 Myth You Need To Ignore

I’ve been thinking about success lately.

I've realised I am unwilling to give up certain things to achieve the traditional definition.

I have to be honest with myself.

This summer, I have not done the work I thought I would. (PS

I still did loads - see below.) The work always takes longer.

But at certain moments this summer I chose to do other stuff.

And I do not regret it.

Material Success?

Yesterday, I took a stroll along the coast where I live, grabbed an ice cream and sat in the sun.

And it hit me.

I don’t want material success at the expense of time with family.

Nor at the expense of my well-being.

Nor at the expense of holidays and adventures.

So what does that say about my definition of success?

I can tell you what I do NOT want.

Regrets.

Sliding Doors

Time is short. Our children growing up makes the reality stark.

This year I turned 50. I am still young but much more aware of time - unlike my 20s when I never thought about it.

A successful life (if there is such a thing) for me is one with few regrets.

Yes, I play the long game. I am not lazy. But in the dance between short-term pain and long-term gain, there is a sweet spot.

You can work towards something AND enjoy life now.

Success is being able to choose what matters to you at any time.

And it might be closer than you think. You might even have it already.

Maybe you don’t have to wait.

Maybe it is in front of you now.

All you need to do is grab it - set boundaries.

Could we have more freedom? Always.

Could we have more time to spend on other things? Maybe.

The pursuit of monetary success as the only end?

Not for me, thanks.

Freedom

But, as a means to an end?

Yes, to freedom and choice.

And Yes to money, but only with no regrets.

'No Regrets' will guide the ebbs and flows of my business and life - when to choose to accelerate or slow down with nature's rhythms.

I am not a machine. I am not a human doing.

I am a human being.

What have I been working on then?

Despite going more with the flow this summer, I've been busy...

For you, I published The 3-day free Kickstart To Freedom Mindset mini-course: https://jameseparnell.xperiencify.io/foundersfreedom/order

I continue to do market research interviews with solopreneurs to design the new Kickstart to Freedom program and community just for you. It starts in September. You can book a 30 minute chat here.

https://JamesParnell.as.me/FreedomPlanning

I've created The 15-in-15 Pulse Diagnostic for small businesses. I often use it for my Discovery calls to give clients a quick answer to the no. 1 thing holding them back - and a plan to get unstuck.

?? Hey, I'm James.

I help change-making entrepreneurs grow a scalable business

The financial freedom you always dreamed of - without the usual stress.

You can book a call to chat with me anytime here: https://JamesParnell.as.me/FreedomPlanning

If you found this helpful, send it to someone who could use it.

PS My new FREE course for Solopreneurs is now out!

https://jameseparnell.xperiencify.io/foundersfreedom/order/?

PPS The next cohort of Founders Kickstart to Freedom is taking applications and starts after summer!