The Success Checklist (11 elements of success)
My version of success probably looks different from yours. And yours probably looks different from the next person. We may share similar elements, but ultimately, it’s a personal thing.
So I’m benchmarking this success checklist against my personal values, which include things like autonomy, creativity, happiness and authenticity.
If you’re not sure what your own values are, I’d say start there first…which happens to segue into the first item on this list.
So let’s do this!
Table of Contents
1. You’re Aligned
Alignment means you’re doing things that are personally fulfilling and meaningful. This is connected to your personal values, goals and passions.
Alignment improves motivation and is a sustainable way to build great things.
(psst, if you’re not sure what your core values are, you can take a free test at personalvalu.es – it’s the same test I took a while back!)
2. You’re Challenged
Success means you’re continually learning.
Because nothing sounds worse than just getting to some destination (“success”) and then sitting around to do nothing at all.
Blahhh
If you find yourself continually learning and embracing new challenges and failures, then congrats — you’re succeeding.
3. You Can Be Authentic
If you’re able to express your authenticity, then you’re succeeding.
I’ve spent years hiding my true voice (ironically, in pursuit of external success). But in that process, I ended feeling less successful (even if I did make a few coins).
Success means never having to sacrifice any part of who you are.
4. You Get Lost In Flow
Flow state means you’re doing something from the heart. Your overthinking brain is out of the way and you’re operating with full intuition.
It’s the sweet spot for creativity and, in my freaking opinion, success.
If you’re able to consistently get lost in flow while doing your work, then congrats, you’re pretty dang successful.
5. You’re Happy
Happiness is the ultimate form of success. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, as long as you’re happy.
It sounds cliche as f*ck, but whatever…it’s true.
Work towards happiness before success (not the other way around).
6. You Use Your Skills or Experiences
I used to work in an industry that did not use my passions, experiences and skills. So I felt like a big part of me (the main part) was being unused.
What a waste, right!?
Success happens when you feel like you’re able to leverage the stuff that you’re best at, most interested in or have unique experience with.
By the way, if you need a place to showcase your skills, try using a sleek and modern cv template.
7. You ___ More That You ___
I feel like success (and maturity) is connected to a few key habits:
You listen more than you speak
You give more than you take
You do more than you say
Practice these habits and the rest should fall in place.
8. You Dig the Process
If you constantly focused on the result of something, then you’ll burnout and risk feeling unhappy or behind.
Success comes from genuine enjoyment of the process of what you do.
9. You Fail Lots :)
Success looks like an iceberg.
Most people only see the top 10 percent. But the bottom 90% is what gives it the mass and supports the 10% that shows.
Put another way, 90% of what you do may never be seen or appreciated. This can feel like failure. But it’s not.
So if you’re plugging away posting content and getting nowhere, just remember that you’re building a big ass iceberg.
10. You Get How Money Works
I am not a financial wizard. But I do understand the basics of investing, taxes, saving and budgeting.
Financial literacy is pretty important for financial success.
11. You Don’t “Need” Success
If you can’t be happy with a cup of coffee, then a yacht won’t make you happy either.
Success comes before any external validation or rewards.
So I always focus on feeling and embracing success and happiness before reaching any of my personal goals.
Want More? Nice. Here’s More.
