A Roadmap to Success and Life Satisfaction
There are over five billion results in Google for the query, “How to be successful in life.” With the sheer excess of advice out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with strategies and hacks.
But let’s face it: if success was as black-and-white as finding the ideal morning routine, there would probably be a lot more people in the world who would consider themselves successful.
Unfortunately, there is no magic pill–but there are some overarching principles that can apply to everyone.
We’ve gathered some non-traditional musings from our COO on what success is and how to get there, wherever you’re at in your journey.
Understand Needs
Keep your eyes open to the needs of those around you…whether those are the needs of your leadership, your team, or your customers. Ask yourself how you can help fill those gaps.
Remember that these will evolve over time. When you see shifts, be prepared to pivot so that you can continue to meet those needs.
The only way you can do this effectively is if you’re willing to be fluid with your short-term objectives. Are today’s goals still serving you, or is it time for a change?
An easy way to keep yourself from getting stuck is to build periodic reevaluation into your current systems. This allows you to bridge the gap between structure and fluidity.
Be Present when Opportunity Calls
If you’re looking to advance in your career, purpose to “be someone.”
For example, if your supervisor says, “I need someone to do X,” be that someone. When you build a reputation of consistently stepping into areas of opportunity, you set yourself apart for future promotion.
Especially if you have a strong sense of vision, it’s easy to wonder if you should stay put and “wait” for opportunity, or seek it elsewhere. Balance your vision with patience. Sometimes, your chance to “be someone” will present itself in two months, and sometimes, in two years.
A key factor in long-term success is timing. You don’t want to err on either side, but be cautious that you don’t leave a position prematurely. If you’re genuinely unsure, have an open, honest conversation with your supervisor.
Work/Life Balance
One of the common claims of social media is that the perfect work/life balance is a marker of success. But what does the phrase really mean?
Here’s one definition: being able to show up for your child’s game…or whatever it is that’s important to you. Obviously, this will look different person to person.
Remember that work/life balance is yet another area that fluctuates over time. There may be seasons where you have to grind harder to make space for the important things down the road.
Be open to discussion if your loved ones ask if your busy season is extending into a more lasting pattern. Embrace these conversations with an open mind, as they will likely provide you with invaluable objectivity.
Hybrid Schedules
Many claim that schedule autonomy is the secret to success, so let’s talk about remote work. For years, the internet has been ablaze with conversations on micromanaging, antiquated concepts of company culture, and management’s apparent lack of trust in their employees.
But should fully-remote work be an inalienable right? It’s going to vary company to company, and sometimes, even among departments and individual employees.
Wherever you fall in the debate, don’t miss the vital success tip hidden in the conversation: regardless of industry or personal situation, trust is earned.
If more autonomy is what you desire, be the employee who does what you say you will do. Make it one of your defining features. Then, when you request additional flexibility in the future, it’s more likely that request will be honored.
Activity - It’s Vital
What good is career success if you don’t have the vitality to enjoy the fruit of your labors?
Staying physically active throughout your life isn’t a luxury…it’s an insurance plan against aging. Pick an activity you enjoy that contributes to your mental health and try to make space for around three sessions per week.
Whatever you choose, incorporate some manner of flexibility/mobility. The less flexible you are, the more you risk injury. If you get injured, the less active you can be. This downward spiral gets more difficult to break as you age.
Ultimately, you want to maintain your ability to move so that you can stave off aging’s effects for as long as possible. Whether it’s yoga or even just simple, daily stretches, make it sustainable.
Help Others Grow
The end goal of a career is your legacy. What do you want to be known for?
One of the most fulfilling things you can do is to pour into the people around you. It’s one thing to experience wins across the course of your career. It’s a different feeling to coach someone else and witness them make their own wins.
Look for opportunities to help point others toward success. When they succeed, so do you.
Conclusion
When it comes to future goals, it’s easy to fixate on the finish line and miss what’s happening now. Life goes fast. Soak in the present moment, whether it’s the current chapter of your career or quality experiences with loved ones.
Strive for excellence, and use missteps as opportunities to grow. There are as many paths to success as there are people. Ultimately, the winning strategy is to keep your eyes open, be intentional, and live with integrity.
Your five- and ten-year plans will look a little more granular than this…and they should. But when you get overwhelmed, don’t forget to refocus on the simplicity of what really matters.