Defining Success & Chartering the Course

In the words of acclaimed poet, author, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” It can be tempting to measure success or professional achievements by material wealth, but when it really comes down to it, how do you determine success?

As we individually continue through our personal and professional journeys, I think the answer to this question is in constant motion. Therefore, we have to navigate expectations and understand how and why redefining success is so important. One of the first steps in defining what success is, requires identifying what your values are. What you are deeply rooted in can help you understand yourself and how you operate. It can be ambition, adventure, family, curiosity, respect, comfort, or countless other guiding principles that have deep meaning for you. If you are working in an organization or trying to find an organization where you can make an impact, understand how your values align with the other individuals within the organization and the overall mission.

Why this is important: Your journey is uniquely yours. Understanding your own impact, and the impact you have on others, is directly related to how you define your own success. The more you can outline what success looks like, the more you can have a clear vision of how to accomplish your goals. I am an advocate for success in our workplace environments as well as our lives beyond. If you happen to be a person who is fortunate enough to have your passions in your life correlate with your work, understand you have a special gift. If your workplace is a building or home office you arrive to and it’s difficult to find success in that space, spend time assessing your own values and figure out if there is a way to cultivate joy in innovative ways that can inspire you, and others.