Change can force us to redefine success. Society sells success as titles, associations, and possessions. It’s easy to buy into when we’re young. As we age we encounter many changes in our relationships, career, and personal being. Some of these changes are intentional and others are unexpected. Maturity and wisdom teach us what matters most is health, family, relationships, and community. 

Success isn’t about not dropping any balls in a juggling act; it is about identifying which balls are rubber and which balls are glass. It’s okay to drop the rubber ones; you can pick them back up later…But don’t drop the ones that are glass.

Jessica dilullo herrin | find your extraordinary

Unexpected Changes

Prior to the pandemic most of us were coasting through life. We were going at a speed to keep up with everyone else. You find examples of this in our communication styles, eating preferences, shopping and delivery choices, and other daily habits. In the quest to keep up, we made sacrifices. Sacrifices that affected our business, relationships, community, and health. 

The pandemic moved us inside but still kept many at the same speed while going up a hill. The hill of added responsibilities with work and home. However, there was an increase in community support and relationship bonding. 

• Families and friends connecting Zoom for weekly conversations. 
• Neighbors creating encouraging signs in their windows and with sidewalk chalk. 
• Communities cheering out their windows for healthcare workers at 8pm. 
• Businesses designating times for elderly shoppers. 
• Work teams having a more relaxed protocal with children and pets being part of Zoom calls. 

The unexpected and forced change gave us an opportunity to reevaluate what is most important to us. A blank slate to redefine what matters most for ourselves, our families, communities, and our business. How did we use it? Will we use it to focus and build what matters most?

Redefine Success

Whether it was the pandemic, a relationship ending, or a career move, change gives us an opportunity to redefine success. How we choose to view the moment has a big impact on how we move forward.

• What can you learn from this moment?
• What is most important to you as move through this transition?
• How can you make the most of this moment?
• Who is part of your support system?
• How are you supporting each other during this transition?

Here are questions to consider as you redefine success.

Personal Success

• What does good health look like for you? How can you improve your sleep?
• What boundaries are needed to protect your emotional and mental well-being?
• What relationships do you want to nurture?
• What previous commitment or obligation no longer serves you?
• Is it necessary to keep up with trends and influencers? 😉 What do YOU want to do?
• What community organizations or neighborhood businesses do you want to support?
• How can we explore our creativity with projects that are purely for expression not for income?
• What do you want your daily routine to include?
• What do you want to slow down and make time for?

Professional Success

• What relationships do you want to prioritize?
• How can you strengthen your relationship with your team, peers, clients?
• Where can you communicate clearer?
• How can you help your team do their jobs better?
• What previous commitment or obligation no longer serves your business?
• What steps can you take with your team to improve the company culture? 
• What would happen if we placed a higher priority on relationships than metrics?
• What boundaries need to be created to protect people’s personal time?
• What mentorships can you develop for yourself or team?

How we choose to look at change, intentional or unexpected, is up to us. Use the blank slate to redefine success, prove what you’re capable of, develop stronger relationships, and create new things!

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Your Turn

How has the past year made you redefine success?