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Success.
Welcome back, friend for Part 2 of our In the Company of Women series. If you missed our first edition a few weeks ago you might be wondering….what is this series? Well, a little over a month ago I read the amazing book, ‘In the Company of Women’ by Grace Bonney. I found the book to be so inspiring and offered a lot of wisdom and encouragement. Therefore, each edition of this series will answer one or two of the questions that was addressed in the week. Then, you will see some of my favorite responses to these questions that I wrote down and collected as I worked my way through the book.
This weeks question is….
What does success mean to you?
While this is certainly a really personal question I found that there were definitely some common themes and answers that came up over and over. As you read through the list below see which ones align the most with your own feelings and values. There will probably be a few that really stand out to you above and beyond the others. Also, what would you add to the list?
What is Success….
Knowing someone feels a connection with the work I’m doing
When something I do or say is helpful to someone else
To be thriving
Success to me is always having options. It’s one thing to decide you don’t want to have something, do something, or go somewhere, but it’s quite another to know you can’t
Those are moments when I feel like I’m contributing something but I’m also receiving something. Reciprocity feels like success
Having the freedom to do whatever you want with your day
Accomplishing anything I set out to do
How often I can say Yes enthusiastically
Feeling like you created what you wanted to create and it connected with an audience or with one person in the way you wanted it to
Freedom to make choices that are not fear based
Staying true to the vision and values I held before ever setting out to be successful. As long as my work continues to foster joy, celebration, community, generosity, and simplicity, I’m on the road to success
Being able to continue to do what I love
To do something one is fulfilled and energized by
I rely on 6 touchpoints: kids, love, business, health, travel, spirituality,
Being able to match one’s passion with a deep sense of purpose
The legacy you leave behind when you’re physically gone from this earth
The ability to work toward your dreams while being appreciative of and present where you are. You have to enjoy the journey.
Legacy
Living my life based on purpose. Every day I feel successful because I wake up doing what I love.
Realizing that I have achieved more in my lifetime than any of the women in my family who have set the groundwork before me. I have been afforded opportunities that were not available to them, and I know they would be proud to see how far I’ve come
To be able to live my imagination and give it away to as many people as possible in one lifetime
Lengthy dinners with friends, laughter, time with family, and travel
Autonomy
I am still searching for the answer
Operating without fear of the scarcity of time, resources, recognition or money. There is enough for us all.
Making a positive impact on the world, inspiring others, being authentic, and most important, having meaningful and lasting relationships
The ability to support yourself through your work without compromising on vision or values
When I am feeling purposeful, authentic, and of service to others
Loving and accepting myself and using my creativity to have a positive effect on the world around me
I’m realizing that success is less about money and more about confidence. I feel most successful when I feel most powerful in who I am and what I want to create and put out into the world
As I re-read through this list I certainly noticed a few ideas that kept repeating themselves.
6 Key Elements:
1. Helping, inspiring, or being of service to others
2. Freedom and options
3. Doing work that is energizing, fulfilling, and that you enjoy
4. Leaving a legacy
5. Purpose
6. Meaningful relationships
What do you think? As you might have noticed in your own life another factor is age. The book contains interviews and responses from women in all different life stages and the view that a 20 something might have about success could be very different from the perspective of a women in her 70’s or 80’s.
If you missed Part 1 click here
Next month we will be looking at the answers to two questions: which of your traits are you most proud of? and what is your go to when you need inspiration?
Have a wonderful week and see you next Monday.
To check out the book for yourself, click here!
