This episode is for anyone staring down the end of the year wondering if they "succeeded"—comparing themselves to external markers, measuring their worth by what didn't happen, or feeling behind despite doing the work. We explore how to define success on your own terms, celebrate what actually matters, and set yourself up for meaningful progress ahead.

The Big Question

How do I define success as I reflect on the past year and plan for the next?

What We Cover

• Ground yourself in your actual goals – Compare yourself to what you originally set out to do, not what others achieved or external markers say you should have done.
• Account for pivots – Document when your plans changed. Those adjustments often represent good leadership, not failure.
• Balance input and output goals – Focus on what you control (inputs like sending weekly newsletters) alongside desired outcomes (outputs like business growth). Input goals give you agency and realistic measures of success.
• Get specific with your vision – "Getting a job" isn't enough. Define the job you want, at the company you want, doing work you want to do.
• Give yourself grace – Sometimes success is showing up through a hard year. No one else knows the battles you fought.

Key Takeaway

Success isn't just about hitting January's goals. It's about acknowledging what shifted, celebrating the inputs you controlled, and defining what matters to you—not what external markers say should matter.

Resources Mentioned

• Ruchika Malhotra, Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success

Resources:

• Navigating a big transition? Check out our Pivot Plan: 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Next Big Move.
• Think coaching might be right for you? Schedule a free consultation to explore how we can help you step into your next level of leadership.
• Interested in going deeper in your own leadership and building your network? Join the waitlist for The CoCreate Work Leadership Book Club to explore the themes from this episode in community—through powerful reads, reflection prompts, and live conversations.
• Our last session of the Culture Crash Course just ended, but if you're interested in a Culture Crash Course for your organization or team, please contact us at [email protected].
• Interested in leadership development for your team? Our Workshops are a great wait to develop your team's skills and connection.
• At CoCreate Work, we believe in asking great questions. Click here to receive our guide to 40 Powerful Questions to accelerate your growth.

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Questions you would like us to answer on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]