When I ask people to define professional and business success, I often hear about corner offices, six-figure salaries, and lofty job titles. For a long time, I thought those things defined professional success, too. But what happens when you chase someone else’s dream and realize it doesn’t align with your values or fit the life you want?
In this blog, I want to help you define professional success and define business success on your own terms. I’ll walk you through:
- Why letting others define your success can lead to burnout
- How to figure out what truly counts as success for you
- The importance of aligning success with your personal values
- The reality of value conflict and how to navigate it
- Practical tips for managing overwhelm and staying focused
It’s time to redefine success in a way that empowers you and supports your personal and professional growth.
The Problem with Letting Others Define Success for You
I’ve observed many who spent years chasing goals that looked great on paper, but were left feeling depleted, stressed, and doubting themselves. If you’re a high achiever, you probably know the feeling. We often define professional success based on what others expect: the next promotion, a prestigious degree, or a job that sounds impressive at dinner parties.
It’s so common to compare ourselves to others—whether it’s our coworkers, peers online, or even friends and family. At times, comparison helps us calibrate. But more often, it leads us to internalize someone else’s version of success.
For me, this resulted in what I now call chronic unmanaged stress—the kind of stress that sneaks up when your goals don’t reflect your values. You might look successful from the outside, but inside, you’re struggling to stay afloat. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not true success.
What Counts as Success to Me?
I had to start asking a hard question: What does success mean to me?
This isn’t a quick answer. For many of us, the real challenge is learning to stop tuning into others’ expectations long enough to hear our own voice. We’re so conditioned to seek approval that we forget to check in with ourselves.
To truly define business success or professional success, it’s important to get radically honest about your values. Maybe success means doing work I love—even if I’m not leading a big team. Maybe it’s about having the flexibility to pick my kids up from school, or taking vacations without guilt.
There’s no single right answer—just the one that’s right for you.
Success Should Be Personal, Practical, and Values-Based
Too often, people assume that success has to come at a cost—sacrificing your health, your time, or your relationships. I’ve been there. But I can tell you this: that version of success is not only outdated, it’s unsustainable.
When I chose to define professional success based on my values, everything shifted. I stopped pushing for roles that didn’t fit. I started building a life and career that worked together, not in competition.
Whether you’re a business owner or a professional leader, the only way to define business success that feels meaningful is to align it with what you care about most.
The Reality of Value Conflicts
Let me be honest: sometimes your values will compete with one another. I value meaningful work, but I also value being present for my family. There have been seasons when those two values pulled me in different directions.
You might have a big dream that stays on the shelf, not because you’re lazy or unfocused, but because pursuing it would mean sacrificing something you’re not willing to give up. That doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you aware and intentional.
I’ve had to let go of some dreams to honor others. And that’s okay. It’s all part of living in alignment with your values, even when it’s hard.
Overwhelm is Not a Character Flaw—It’s a Signal
At some point, I realized I was constantly overwhelmed, and not because I wasn’t capable. I was doing too much. I said yes to everything. I underestimated how long things would take. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
Overwhelm isn’t a flaw. It’s feedback. It’s a sign that something’s off, and it’s time to reassess.
When I feel overwhelmed now, I pause. I ask myself if my actions are aligned with the way I define professional success. Often, that reflection brings me back to balance and helps me make better decisions moving forward.
Three Practical Tips to Help You Stay Focused on Your Success
- Talk Back to Your Stories: We all have stories we tell ourselves, like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t hack it.” But those aren’t truths. When I catch myself spiraling, I remind myself: This is just overwhelm. It doesn’t define me.
- Focus on Daily Practices, Not Global Judgments: Don’t evaluate your success based on sweeping labels. Look at your daily choices. Am I sleeping well? Am I making time for what matters? These practices matter more than any title or milestone.
- Use Stress-Coping Skills Intentionally: Sleep. Movement. Connection. These aren’t optional extras—they’re essentials. I make time for these things because I’ve learned the hard way what happens when I don’t. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency.
Conclusion: Define Success So It Works for You
You don’t need a fancy title or a seven-figure launch to be successful. What you need is alignment with your values, your energy, and your purpose.
When you define professional success and define business success in a way that reflects who you are and what you care about, you’ll find more clarity—and more peace. You’ll stop striving to prove yourself and start building a life that feels like your own.
Setting goals is vital to success in life. If you need help with goal planning for your career, or even your team, send me a message so we can chat about coaching!
Want a broader view on goal setting? Check out How to Achieve Your Goals.