Show Notes

Episode 351. A Better Way To Measure Success: Setting Goals That Help You Thrive

Guest: Solo episode with host Laura Cox Kaplan

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: Ever find yourself wondering if your accomplishments should be more impressive, profitable, or visible, even when you love the work you’re doing? This week, Laura Cox Kaplan tackles the often quiet, persistent pressure to prove the worth of our efforts and makes the case for redefining success on our own terms. Drawing on personal experiences, including her transition out of a high-powered corporate role and her journey building She Said/She Said Podcast, Laura explores how goal-setting, identity, and thriving are deeply intertwined, especially during big transitions.

In this thought-provoking solo episode, Laura helps you wrestle with questions such as:

• Are your goals truly serving your well-being…or are they quietly turning into verdicts on your worth?
• How can you tell the difference between a stretch goal that helps you thrive and one that turns your passion into a pressure cooker?
• And what does it mean to design goals that align with your current season of life, not just your resume or past milestones?

Packed with practical reflection prompts, this episode invites you to rethink the rules of goal-setting, evaluate what drives your ambition, and give yourself permission to thrive, not just achieve.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• WHY WE FEEL THE NEED TO JUSTIFY OUR PASSIONS:
• Laura shares her own inner dialogue when asked, “What are you hoping to accomplish with this podcast?” and breaks down why these seemingly innocent questions can feel so loaded.
• GOAL-SETTING THROUGH DIFFERENT LIFE SEASONS: Whether you’re in a survival mode or entering a new chapter, your goals (and your approach to them) should adapt to fit your real life.
• DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRETCH GOALS AND “STRAIN” GOALS: Discover how to tell if your stretch goal is supporting your growth, or wearing you down.
• IDENTITY & MILESTONES: How attaching your identity to measurable outcomes can blur the lines between achievement and self-worth.
• FRAMEWORK FOR REASSESSING YOUR GOALS:
• Laura shares concrete questions and strategies for examining if your goals bring energy, joy, and meaning or simply drain you.
• REDESIGN GOALS TO SUPPORT YOUR THRIVING: Learn how to pivot and reframe your ambitions for greater alignment and fulfillment.
• THE ROLE OF SEASONAL CONTEXT: Why it’s so important to determine whether your goals match your current life circumstances, not just old scripts or cultural expectations.

There’s so much wisdom, practical advice, and honest reflection in this episode. You’ll come away better equipped to design goals that support your growth, not just your résumé.

A FEW REFLECTION PROMPTS FROM THIS EPISODE (for your journal or next coffee chat!):

• Does this goal bring me energy or drain it?
• Am I doing this out of joy and curiosity, or out of fear and comparison?
• If I didn’t tell anyone, would I still want to pursue this goal?
• Is my definition of success evolving with my life season, or is it stuck in old rules?

FEEDBACK & COMMUNITY:

Which part of this episode resonated with you most? We’d love to hear! Contact us using the links below.

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• Email: [email protected]

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