Defining Success Your Way!
In my career advising practice, I often find that my clients are not clear about what success means for them. Our society defines success primarily around three elements: power, money and fame. Many of you reading this may be saying, "wait a minute -those elements are not the most important things to me." Success is often intangible. It's certainly unique to each person. Have you considered how you will know when you are successful?
For one of my current clients, a definition of success is having autonomy in her work. She wants to set her own goals and direct her own activities. She's considering part-time consulting work as a transition to her success. Another client defines success as a satisfying family and personal life - she's looking for work that allows her flexible hours and telecommuting days.
In her book, "If Success is a Game, These Are the Rules", Cherie Carter-Scott gives several examples of success:
? financial terms - enough to retire by 50 or to buy a cabin in the woods
? emotional fulfillment and stability - a harmonious family life
? glory - athletic accomplishments
? courage - overcoming a serious illness or tragedy
? making a difference - change people's life in a positive way
? accumulation of knowledge and understanding
Can you come up with 3 ways to measure success for yourself? Remember, there is not a universal standard or "right" definition of success. Define what's truly important to you. Once you've figured out what success means to you, you can realign your life, goals, and relationships around these priorities.
A great way to start the process of defining success is to complete these sentences:
The people I view as successful are?.
I feel successful when?..
My symbols of success are?.
I will feel like a success when I?.
You'll need to work with your statements until they feel or sound just right. Once you've defined success, start taking action to reach it. Set powerful goals and get the support you need to reach them. Expect and learn how to cope with barriers such as fear of change, your "yeah buts" and fear of identity change.
Success is a process that never ends. As you reach the height of one goal you'll see another mountaintop you'll want to climb. Along the way, don't forget to appreciate what you already have and to celebrate each small accomplishment that leads to the grand prize!
Ann Ronan, Ph.D., Certified Career Advisor, works with professionals in career transition. HER MOST POPULAR SERVICE: A "One-Shot to UnStuck" meeting that gets to the root of ANY career problem and gives a practical plan to solve it.
--If you are stuck or frustrated in your career? you'll love this.
Call 909-717-1113 or ann@authenticlifeinstitute.com, www.authenticlifeinstitute.com
MORE RESOURCES:
 Bloomberg | Nokia to axe 4000 jobs, move assembly to Asia Reuters To cut assembly jobs in Finland, Hungary, Mexico * Moves smartphone assembly to Asia * Shares 1.2 pct higher By Tarmo Virki, European Technology Correspondent HELSINKI, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Struggling Finnish phone maker Nokia plans to cut 4000 more jobs ... Nokia Plans to Eliminate 4000 Jobs as It Shifts Device Assembly to Asia Nokia to Cut 4000 Jobs, Shift Production to Asia Nokia cuts 4000 jobs in smartphone struggle |
 The Idaho Statesman | Acme's parent company to cut 800 jobs Philadelphia Inquirer By Maria Panaritis Acme Markets' corporate parent, Supervalu Inc., announced Tuesday it would cut 800 jobs across the country by the end of its fiscal year Feb. 25 as part of ongoing cost-reduction efforts. The Minneapolis-based supermarket retail ... Jewel-Osco cutting corporate jobs in Chicago Supervalu to cut 800 jobs nationwide CORRECT: Supervalu To Cut 800 Office Jobs By Feb 25 In Turnaround Effort |
 USA TODAY | Job openings jump to near 3-year high Albany Times Union The number of available jobs jumped in December, nearly matching a three-year high reached last fall, a hopeful sign that January's large job gain may continue. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) In this Feb. 3, 2012 photo, workers at Three World Trade ... More job openings, but job hunters don't have skills needed Dodge Dart Adds Thousands of Jobs Near Chicago Chrysler to add 1800 jobs, expand plant in Illinois |
 Boston.com | Available jobs leap to three-year high Pioneer Press The number of available jobs in the United States jumped in December to near a three-year high, supporting other data that show a brighter outlook for hiring. Companies and governments posted 3.38 million jobs in December, the Labor Department said ... Job openings rise to 3.4 million in December Available jobs rise; hiring still flat Number of available jobs reaches 3-year high, report shows |
 Mashable | Apps industry has created 466000 jobs since 2007, study says Los Angeles Times The demand for applications for games, quantum physics and many other things has created 466000 jobs in the US since 2007, according to an analysis released Tuesday by technology trade group TechNet. The estimate counts 311000 jobs at companies making ... 'App Economy' has created 466000 US jobs App Stores Create 500000 U.S. Jobs Apps-related jobs tallied at 466K in US |
 First Coast News | Cloud computing, apps power jobs growth in Silicon Valley Times of India SAN FRANCISCO: Silicon Valley is creating jobs and wealth for highly skilled workers but may be leaving some residents behind as employment closes in on pre-Great Recession levels, according to a report released Tuesday. The 2012 Silicon Valley Index ... Report: Silicon Valley sees growth in jobs, wealth |
 Los Angeles Times | Jobs numbers undermine Romney's raison d'Ãtre Statesman Journal Last month, 243000 jobs were created. That's significantly more than the 155000 new jobs economists had predicted, according to the Associated Press. In the wake of this latest report indicating a healing economy, Mitt Romney, the front-runner in the ... Keep pushing on jobs, Mr. President Obama's re-election campaign finds fuel with new job reports, GOP primaries Good jobs data force GOP pivot |
INSIGHT-The dark side of Germany's jobs miracle Reuters Jobs miracle fuelled by low-wage sector boom * More wage inequality, working poor in Germany * Germany reregulates jobs market as Europe deregulates By Sarah Marsh and Holger Hansen STRALSUND, Germany, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Anja has been scrubbing floors ... Insight: The dark side of Germany's jobs miracle |
 ABC Online | Job losses take centre stage in parliament ABC Online Parliament today heard competing explanations about recent job losses in Australia with pledges to save jobs and the promise of more broadband too, so we get a wrap of the day's action. CHRIS UHLMANN, PRESENTER: The Prime Minister stepped up her attack ... |
 Straits Times | As Massachusetts governor, Romney had an unremarkable record on jobs Washington Post A tepid economy is not producing enough jobs. And a successful businessman promises he can use his private-sector experience to jump-start the economy. This is presidential candidate Mitt Romney now, but it was also Romney nearly a decade ago when he ... Obama approval soars to 50 pc on jobs figures Obama approval soars to 50% on jobs figures The downward mobility of the American middle class |
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