Better Ways To Define Success For Yourself

Lasting success stems from identifying what fulfills you most, and then allowing those things to influence your daily work and future career decisions. It sounds challenging, but you can start by asking yourself these clarifying questions.

What are my values when it comes to work?
It’s easy for days, weeks, and even months to fly by when you’re consumed by the day-to-day pressures of your job. But, that’s how people end up spending years in a career path that they aren’t quite sure is right for them. It's essential to consider the bigger picture. Is your work challenging? Do you appreciate an environment that celebrates risk-taking? Do you want more opportunities to be creative? Answering these questions takes a lot of self-reflection but will help you discover more about yourself and how you define success.

Whose career do I admire?
Think about someone who inspires you, and ask yourself why you consider that person to be successful. Is it because of the industry they work in? The amount of travel they get to do? Or, maybe it’s because of the impact they have on people’s lives? Maybe you know someone you see as a real trailblazer in their field. Once you pinpoint the elements of their career that you love, you can allow those characteristics to inform your own path.

What impact do I want to have?
Many people want to do meaningful work, but are held back by a one-dimensional view of what that means. But there are a lot of ways to make a difference. To feel impactful in your work, hone in on specific areas within your organization, field, or community in which you’d like to see change happen—and allow that to influence your goals, both in the short and long-term.