012: How Do I Define Success?

This episode is for anyone staring down the end of the year wondering if they "succeeded"—comparing themselves to external markers, measuring their worth by what didn't happen, or feeling behind despite doing the work. We explore how to define success on your own terms, celebrate what actually matters, and set yourself up for meaningful progress ahead.The Big QuestionHow do I define success as I reflect on the past year and plan for the next?What We CoverGround yourself in your actual goals – Compare yourself to what you originally set out to do, not what others achieved or external markers say you should have done.Account for pivots – Document when your plans changed. Those adjustments often represent good leadership, not failure.Balance input and output goals – Focus on what you control (inputs like sending weekly newsletters) alongside desired outcomes (outputs like business growth). Input goals give you agency and realistic measures of success.Get specific with your vision – "Getting a job" isn't enough. Define the job you want, at the company you want, doing work you want to do.Give yourself grace – Sometimes success is showing up through a hard year. No one else knows the battles you fought.Key TakeawaySuccess isn't just about hitting January's goals. It's about acknowledging what shifted, celebrating the inputs you controlled, and defining what matters to you—not what external markers say should matter.Resources MentionedRuchika Malhotra, Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock SuccessResources:Leading through growth takes intention. Our capabilities deck shows how we help founders and leadership teams lead boldly and build cultures that scale.Think coaching might be right for you? Schedule a free consultation to explore how we can help you step into your next level of leadership.We would love to connect with you!CoCreate Work on LinkedInCoCreate Work on InstagramLa’Kita on InstagramChloe on InstagramVisit our Podcast PageQuestions you would like us to answer on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]