What does success for you really look like?

It has been almost 4.5 years since I stepped into the role of an entrepreneur. The first step was as an independent coach and facilitator. Shortly thereafter, the bigger step into the role of a co-founder of this magical business. 
 
Looking back, one of my biggest challenges was defining what I wanted for myself in making the leap. It is such a big question. And, for me, it felt so limiting. I had fear that if I defined it, I might not see opportunities outside of my narrow definition. I wanted to be open and flexible. And if I am honest, I had often deferred to others to define success for me.
 
Where I found some stability and contentment was in answering the question of

“What will success look like for me?”

I still turned to others (sort of), but found a way to do it more creatively. I wanted inspiration, not answers. I had followed Grace Bonney since my days of running a wedding planning business. (That's another story for another time). It just so happened that as I was becoming a full time entrepreneur, she had just released In The Company of Women. I devoured it.
 
The book is a beautiful peek into the businesses and journeys of 100 female entrepreneurs. All who had faced some sort of adversity on their paths.
 
One of the core questions answered by each woman profiled is “What does success mean to you?”
 
I can still recall the freedom I felt soaking in the courage and variety of the various definitions offered by women who had done big things.
 
Here are some of my favorites:
 
          “My quality of life. And for me, quality of life is having the freedom to
          make choices that are not fear base.”
          Danielle Colding
 
          “Having adequately expressed a thought or feeling.”
          Tavi Gevinson

          “I rely on six touch points to make myself feel whole: kids, love, business,
          health, travel, and spirituality. If I can tough them all each day, in varying
          intensities, I am successful."
          Jodie Patterson
 
          “Autonomy.”
          Christine Schmidt
 
          “Your ability to support yourself through your work without compromising
          on vision or values.”
          Desiree Akhavan
 
          “Success in business is seeing how bad you can fail and still love
          yourself.”
          Mary Going
 
There is so much power in dreaming about what success might look like. And so much freedom when you allow it to be  personal and differentiated from traditional measures of success. Not one of the 100 womens answers even touches the edges of one anothers.
 
This idea - crafting a deeply personal vision for your professional success - is the backbone of our programs. We break down these bigger questions into a fun exploration. The small group of women who join you in the program will help expand your curiosity around this questions so you can uncover the answers that are already inside of you.
 
When you do, trust and knowing will replace your doubt.

Shine On, 
Alicia