I was so wrong about what success really means in the startup world. It took me years to learn the importance of redefining success rather than following someone else’s rules.
For years, I prided myself on being someone who didn’t know how to lose. Give me a game, and I’d find a way to win. I did this with sports, school, and even work. I was always good at figuring out how to come out on top. But my experience with startup culture was a humbling one that completely changed my perspective on success.
Here’s the thing: I thought we were killing it. We were profitable, growing, and everything looked positive. We were making $5 million in annual revenue. By most standards, we were a success story. But from a venture capitalist’s perspective? We were a flop.
The hard truth I learned is that in the venture startup world, it’s not about being a good business. It’s about being the next Twitter or Facebook. We weren’t failing at being a profitable company—we were failing at being a unicorn.
This misalignment taught me a valuable lesson: In life, we’re not responsible for other people’s scorecards. Redefining success is about aligning your goals with your deepest passions and values. We’re responsible for defining our own success and playing the game we want to play.
he IDEA System: Your Playbook for Redefining Success
So how do we start playing our own game? I’ve developed a system I call IDEA:
Imagine: Define Your Own Success
This is the first step in redefining success for yourself. Stop chasing someone else’s definition of success. Ask yourself: What truly lights you up? What impact do you want to make? Your answers might surprise you. Remember, success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Define your own version of winning.
Design: Develop Daily Creative Practices
Creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about showing up every day. Develop rituals that fuel your creative fire. For me, it’s a morning walk and 30 minutes of uninterrupted writing. As I always say, creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about showing up every day.
Execute: Take Consistent Action
Ideas are worthless without action. Break your big goals into small, manageable steps. Then, commit to taking action every single day, no matter how small. Ideas are worthless without action. Break your big goals into small, manageable steps.
Amplify: Show Your Work and Build Community
Don’t create in a vacuum. Share your work, even if it’s not perfect. Connect with like-minded creators. Your community will become your biggest supporters and collaborators. Don’t create in a vacuum. Share your work, even if it’s not perfect.
Overcoming the Fear of Playing Your Own Game
Let’s be real—forging your own path is scary. You’ll face doubt, criticism, and the ever-present fear of failure. But here’s the truth: failure is just feedback. It’s a necessary part of the creative process.
Remember, every “overnight success” is built on a foundation of countless failures and iterations. Embrace them. Learn from them. They’re stepping stones to your ultimate vision.
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The Power of Small Actions
You don’t need to quit your job and move to Bali to start playing your own game (unless that’s truly what you want). Small, consistent actions can lead to massive results over time.
Start with just 15 minutes a day dedicated to your passion project. Write that first paragraph, sketch that initial design, or reach out to one potential collaborator. These tiny steps compound, creating momentum that can change the trajectory of your entire career. These small steps are crucial in redefining success on your own terms. Small, consistent actions can lead to massive results over time.
Redefining Success on Your Own Terms
Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Your version of winning might look completely different from mine or anyone else’s. And that’s okay.
Maybe success for you is building a sustainable business that allows you to spend more time with your family. Or perhaps it’s using your art to spark important conversations. Whatever it is, align your goals with your deepest passions and values. Your version of winning might look completely different from mine or anyone else’s. And that’s okay.
It’s Time to Play Your Game
So, I ask you: What game are you playing? Is it one that truly excites you, challenges you, and aligns with your values? Or are you still following someone else’s rulebook?
Remember, redefining success means creating your own rules and playing a game that matters to you.
It’s time to stop playing it safe and start playing it bold. Because when you’re playing your own game, you’ve already won.
Hope this gives you some food for thought.
Enjoy!
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