What IS success, anyway?

Today I want to talk about success. 

Because so often we think of success as the BIG things:
 

• Going viral with a blog post;
  
  
• Performing in front of thousands of people;
  
  
• Having a number one bestseller...

The big, defining moments. 

And yet, it hasn't been that way for me... and I'll bet it's the same for most people.

Success, for me, has been drip by drip:

A few subscribers here and there.

A sporadic podcast invitation, which leads to a potential client contacting me.

Writing things I'm proud of (as well as things I know need more work).

So, a reminder for today...

Success might not show up as you expect. 

It might not happen when you think it will. 

It might not even be made up of one big success. It might consist of hundreds of "mini successes". 

And it likely won't happen in the timeframe you think. (We generally underestimate how long things will take.) 

What I've learned from my business...
  

• It's super, super important to celebrate the mini wins. They're the lifeblood of success! 
  
  
• It will probably take longer than you think. That's normal. 
  
  
• Don't give up unless you're really, really sick of what you're doing. 
  
  
• Comparing yourself to other people has zero benefits. They're on their path and you're on yours - plus they'll have factors you're not aware of.  

(What is success, anyway? Is it keeping going, doing something you love, or having material possessions...? It'll be different for all of us.)

Defining success (the grown-up way)...

Sometimes we grow, and realize our definition of success has changed. 

I used to think the number of subscribers I had was success. (Plus, it's easy to measure!)

But now I think it's the type of reader. The connection I have with them.

The results they get from my newsletters.

And how vulnerable and honest I can be in my newsletters. 

Here's where we get stuck...

The number of subscribers I have is BIG and shiny and sounds good! 

But, as I'm sure you know, the things that bring true joy are the "unmeasurables":
 

• An email from a reader sharing a recent win;
  
  
• A client getting a task done they've been putting off for months; 
  
  
• Realizing that the work I'm doing doesn't feel like work.
  
  

 Over to you...

What are your tiny measures of success? What are your mini wins? 

​Are you willing for your project or goal to take months - or years - if needs be? 

As always, I love to hear! :)

Thanks for letting me be a part of your journey, 

Claire 

❤