What does success mean to you?

This is an important question. Something you need to decide right up front, because if you don’t know what success means to you – how will you ever know if you got there?

Success doesn’t always mean fame and money…

Success might mean:

• Having a job that allows you more free time to do the things you love.
• Being able to spend more time with family.
• Following your passion for your art.
• Being able to set your own hours.
• Working from home fulltime.
• Being mobile and able to work from anywhere.
• More money in your savings.
• Being able to pay off your debt.
• Only having to work 1 job.
• Peace of mind.
• More time to read.
• More time to pursue hobbies.
• Work fewer hours for more money.
• Satisfaction in your day, your job, and what you have built.
• Being appreciated.
• Not being yelled at every day at work.
• Being able to take off if you are sick and not get fired.
• Being able to support yourself from a business you created.
• Having your book published.
• Getting published in magazines.
• Getting your art in galleries.
• Having a boss that appreciates you.
• Getting to go on holiday every year.
• Not worrying every day where the money is going to come from to pay your bills.
• Being recognized as a leader in your field.
• Or maybe for you – it does mean getting rich…

There are a million things that can define success for you, and you will want to take stock and decide what that is for you. You will then be able to refer to that standard as you build your business to decide if you are successful and going in the right direction.

I have a friend that it was her dream to have her art in galleries and have solo shows. This year she realized that dream and has her art in a gallery, has been accepted in many showings all over the united states, and next month will have a solo show for just her art. She would definitely define that as a success for herself. Does that mean that she will be getting rich off her art or even sell enough to make a living off of it – probably not. But it does give her the satisfaction of pursuing something and getting there. She is over the moon.

To me – success means a lot of things. I love working from home, doing photography and teaching others. I have built up a business that allows me to do just that – every.single.day. I want to be recognized as a leader in the things I excel in – and I am working on that by building up my business and teaching others.

Is there ever a moment when you will say – that’s it – I’m done – I’m successful and I have nothing else… I hope not! I think your idea of success will change with the different seasons of your life. The things you want in your 20’s is vastly different than the things you want in your 40’s. You are allowed to change, shift, and grow as time goes on – so allow your thoughts and ideas the freedom to change, shift, and grow with you.

What does success look like for you? Make out a list. Where do you want to be 1 year from now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now… and what is it going to take to get there?