My Ever-Changing Definition of Success
Where were you one year ago?
And where do you want to be one year from now?
If you're a go-go-go person (like me), these questions help you realise how much you've probably already accomplished in a short time and to give your wins the space they deserve.
Or if your progress is going slower than you'd like... perhaps these questions might help you to aim for higher goals than what you currently have set, which might in turn spark the motivation to start implementing things outside your comfort zone.
Maybe it's to outsource or hire a team, which you've put off for way too long now. Or to create that passive income stream you've longed for?
What could you do with that extra time or money?
The more important question perhaps is…
What is your definition of success?
It doesn't have to be hitting 6 figures (just because everyone else is). Maybe it's working just 3-4 days and having extra time to spend with family or finally working on those passion projects you've long neglected.
Or maybe, it's being able to afford high quality organic and ethical goods, be it clothes or food and produce.
My definition of success has changed so many times over the years - and that's ok!
The first few months of starting Aroha Visuals was extremely hard and I struggled A LOT.
Now in retrospect, most of that stemmed from my scarcity mindset and lack of self-confidence.
Also, my funds were getting low and I was seriously hitting the red zone. Every day felt like a desperate 'gasp for air'.
So naturally, my first definition of success was money oriented. I just needed $x amount right now to get myself out of that 'survival' mode.
Once I hit that, life felt so much more abundant and my definition of success started to change. It became more time oriented (while also staying money oriented).
My new definition of success became: having more time - like taking weekends off to enjoy life and also carving out time for creative cafe time for reflection and writing down new ideas.
In order to achieve this new level of success, while keeping my business afloat, I knew I had to outsource a few tasks... so I hired my first VA. And holy shit. Best decision everrrr!
Now, I feel like I'm hitting that stage again, where I feel like my definition of success is evolving.
I have enough financial security and the freedom of time, that I'm now able to add a third factor into the mix. Creating more value and impact.
While I'm not quite sure how to measure value and impact for success, for now, it's simply striving to do what I do with the INTENTION of creating as much VALUE and positive impact as I can.
How am I implementing this?
Well, I'm really trying to slow down, listen to my silent intentions and reflecting on that. So meditation and journaling has helped a lot.
By slowing down, I'm able to be more aware and conscious of my decision making and ask myself if this is creating the value and positive impact that I want? Or if there's another way I can help more people with my skills and knowledge?
My decision to create Squarespace templates came from this very intention. And I'm always thinking of more ways I can help YOU create a more impactful website.
As you can tell, I love going deep and touching on the mindset side of business. Probably my favourite thing to talk about! So if there's a topic you'd like me to share more of, let me know at @arohavisuals