How to Become More Successful

Success is relative.

Your definition of success for yourself does not have to match someone else’s definition.

Some women strive for a big job, a big house, big vacations and lots of stuff.  For them, that is the definition of success.

Others strive for a job that is big enough, a house that is big enough, simple vacations that provide a break from the day-to-day responsibilities and not a lot of stuff. Their definition of success is to have a peaceful, simple lifestyle, with time to relax. And the ability to not have to worry.

Perhaps you’re like many other women. You look around at others, and you yearn for what they have and what they do. Or maybe you’re beyond that. If you are, that is fantastic.

The reason many women feel restless is because they are not pausing to think about their own wants and needs. They are, instead, looking at what others want and need. And the degree to which others have successfully secured what they want and need.

I suggest tuning into your own definition of success.  Let’s see if I can give you some food for thought by offering five ways to become more successful.

5 ways to become more successful

1. Define your personal success.

What matters to you in your life?

Consider the various areas of your life. What about your family, your health and fitness, volunteerism?

What do you want to be known for, or what legacy do you want to leave behind?

Write it down.

You may choose to go down the path of career achievement, owning a big home, traveling, and having a fun and exciting life.

Or, perhaps you list will include a desire to live a simple life with a big-enough job and a small enough home to grant you freedom to travel.

Perhaps making a difference in the life of children is your thing.

The key message here is that your definition does not have to match anyone else’s definition.

Be clear about what you want in your life.

2. Expect your success.

Before you take any action, start with a positive belief in yourself. “This is something I want to do, and I trust enough in myself to make it happen.

“I want to raise a wonderful family of children.”  – what will you need to do for this to happen?

“I want to advance in my career to a vice president level.” – what will you need to do? Very likely, you will make some sacrifices along the way.

“I want to start my own business.” – what will you need to do to make that happen?

3. Honor your commitments.

A big part of success is contingent upon being reliable. You can not be successful if you do not honor commitments to others.

Success is as much about what you’re personally doing as it is the way in which you interact with others.

I know a woman who is an absolute rock star in terms of producing results, both professionally and personally. At the same time, she has developed a reputation as someone who misses deadlines and cancels meetings at the last minute because of how busy she is. She wears ‘busy’ as a badge of honor. She sees it as noble, because of her productivity. Her focus on her own to-do list, however, has led people to give up on her.

This scenario will get in the way of advancement.

4. Help shape the world.

Just as I mentioned a few moments ago about the importance of being reliable to others or moving away from the focus on your own to-do list and productivity, I’ll mention it here in another context.

Carve out time on your schedule to help shape the world.

As you listen to the introductions of individuals who are recognized in their communities for their success, a key part of their bio is, almost every time, tied to their giving back to their communities.

There are so many ways you can give back, and it doesn’t always have to a great big thing. Perhaps you’re a regular blood donor, you lead your daughters’ girl scout chapter, you oversee fundraising drives in your neighborhood, you volunteer for a non-profit or hold babies in the neo-natal intensive care unit at your local hospital.

Balance your personal goals with goals that make a difference in the lives of others.

5. Stop wasting time.

Many of us are hindered from achieving higher levels of success, because we settle into any number of time wasters: watching TV, scrolling social media or engaging in gossipy conversations.

Stop giving your valuable time to these activities!

Instead, make steady progress toward your success. Put in extra hours at work, read books on how to be a great “fill in the blank,” add another workout to your exercise routine, or talk to other women who have started their own businesses.

At times our goals for success can feel unachievable or overwhelming. If you’re like me, when you’re overwhelmed, it’s sometimes easier to do nothing.

Keep in mind, you can accomplish a great amount over time in fifteen minutes increments. Grab 15!

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