Measuring Success:: How Good Am I?
My father just turned 70. Birthdays make me think a lot about timelines and transitions and mostly – am I getting where I want to go? Where is it I want to go? Am I doing a good job? What is my job? What am I doing? Whats the point?
Without dragging you down the bumpy existential road to self discovery...
How do you define success as a creative entrepreneur?
- Guit instinct?
- Emotional wellbeing?
- Bank balance?
- Fun working?
- Sense of accomplishment?
There is no boss to give you a raise. There is no one to tell you you are doing a good job. You are alone at your desk, most of the time. Or in your studio. Or on the road. Maybe you are surrounded by people. But in the end, there is just you and no accepted measure of your success.
Are you richer than last year? Are you more fulfilled?
How do you measure fulfillment?
It's different each day, isn't it. Some days there is GLORY and you are soaring high. Some days you are in the trenches.
SO how to measure without all the subjectivity?
- Are you attaining your goals?
- Are you in alignment with what you value?
And then we go ONE.STEP.BACK:
What ARE your goals? And, what do you value?
These are the two core questions that are worth your introspection. I promise. It doesn't take long. And it will be so very worth it. Every time you begin to spiral down the measurement alley, just ask yourself: Am I attaining my goals? Am I acting in accordance to what I value?
The answer will point you in the right direction.
Now walk the path. One step at a time.
Plan Your Tomorrow, Do It Today
Don't let your emotions wildly change your course of action. Right? Like, if I wake up in a confused and shitty ass mood, should I let it define my day? Can I get a "Hell No"?
I mean, yes, emotions are important. Taking time for yourself is important. But for right now, bear with me. Forward motion is important and achieving the goals you set for yourself is important.
So don't let your day get all caught up in your shit. (Click HERE to Tweet)
At least not when you've got business to attend to!
Before you leave the office/stop working/ go to sleep make a list of three things that ABSOLUTELY MUST GET DONE TOMORROW. Leave the list when you'll see it right when you settle in. Whenever and wherever this is. (If you don't have this place/time, you should probably deal with that too.)
When you arrive at the moment of doingstuff-ness, do the things on your list.
Like, before you check your email, or open up three thousand browser windows, or read this post.
Then if you fuck off for the rest of the day, well, so what. (Click HERE to Tweet)
I mean, not that I am giving you permission. But...
The moral here that if you wait till morning, till you are "ready" to work, then you will have to spend too much delicious working time deciding what to work on. If you have predetermined what needs your attention, then you are freed from that decision. You are free to actually begin your day, rather than just consider beginning your day. Action, babes.
You also have some super sweet forward motion, like, on a daily basis.
Attainable goals, we got you, bitches. (Click HERE to Tweet)
-HWG