I’ve been doing a lot of journaling the past few days. I’ve also been intently following a couple of small business Facebook groups. A word that is mentioned “a lot” is SUCCESS. That doesn’t surprise me. It’s a common word in business. What I found eye-opening is that nine times out of ten that word is used in conjunction with Money.
It’s made me sit down and think what my own personal definition of success is. In my days as a photographer, I guess I would have agreed. In my mind, success equaled money. The more money in my account, the more successful I felt. In the last few years before I retired from the photographic world, there was a huge influx of amateur photographers with cheap digital cameras charging basically nothing for their work and calling themselves professionals. Don’t get me wrong, some were amazingly good. A lot more were not. The end result was that prices were driven down. I was shooting as many sessions as I ever did but my sales were going down yearly. That made me feel that I wasn’t as successful as I had been.
I was so wrong!
It wasn’t until I took time off to figure out what I wanted to do in the 2nd half of my life that I realized, just how wrong I was. After I left photography, I was offered a position with a very reputable company as a manager. A lot of money was promised. It wasn’t something that particularly interested me but I saw $$$ signs so I ignored my intuition and went for it. Well, long story short. The company was amazing, My boss was fantastic, My fellow employees were fun. The problem? I was doing it for the wrong reason. "Money".
I was miserable and actually wound up in the hospital last year with chest pains due to anxiety and stress. Over money. Looking back, I feel so stupid, but we’ve all made that mistake haven’t we?
So, I learned. I am now self-employed again and have an amazing career helping others find a way to make their own dreams come true. Am I still interested in money? Hell yeah! But the difference is that it isn’t what motivates me, and it sure isn’t my definition of success.
Some things I’ve learned along the way.
It's Not Just About the Money
Sure, the cash is nice, but success isn't just about the numbers in your bank account. It's about the impact you create the lives you touch, and the deep satisfaction you find in your work. As a small business coach, I often see entrepreneurs chasing financial success but sometimes missing the bigger picture.
Passion Over Perfection
Many of us have this idea that success means a perfect, smooth ride. But in the real world of life and business, we know it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Success is more about the fire in your gut and the unwavering determination to overcome obstacles, learn from missteps, and keep forging ahead, even when the going gets tough.
It's a Journey, Not a Destination
Success isn't a fixed point you reach and then camp out at forever. It's a dynamic journey. Think of it like climbing a mountain. You set your goals, make progress, face challenges, and, most importantly, savor the journey itself. Celebrate the small wins along the way, and you'll discover that the path is where a big part of your success lies.
Failure: A Stepping Stone
We often dread failure and see it as the opposite of success. But in reality, it's a crucial stepping stone on the path to success. Failures provide priceless lessons and chances for growth. As a small business consultant, I've witnessed many entrepreneurs turning their stumbles into comebacks, using what they've learned to power their future success.
It's About Impact and Legacy
When we contemplate success, we sometimes overlook that it's about more than our personal triumphs. It's also about the legacy we leave behind. I’m proud to know that in the course of my photography, I was able to reach many hearts and hopefully build confidence in my subjects, which I hope has led to their sharing their gifts with others as well.
Your passion can be a powerful force for positive change in your community, your family, and beyond. The impact you create and the lives you touch can be the most rewarding parts of your entrepreneurial and life journey.
So, what's your personal take on success? Share it in the comments, and let's keep this conversation going. Thoughts my friends?
I'm a small business consultant and personal coach. My passion is teaching new entrepreneurs how to Create, Run, and Grow their own profitable businesses from idea to launch without stress.
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