When I first trained as a Health Coach, I carried some pretty loud internal expectations: build a social media presence, keep your clients as case studies, get clients quickly, launch group programmes, move into corporate work – do this, do that, do it all. There’s such a wealth of ideas and so much content to draw on from our training that it can feel overwhelming, as though you should be doing everything at once, and that how quickly you do it will define how successful you are.
But is that true?
Something I’ve discovered and feel passionate about, is that success is something we each have the power to define. Everyone has a different idea of what success means, and the most important thing is to decide what it looks like for you.
I’ve enjoyed growing a large social media following, but that alone doesn’t define success for me. It’s simply something I enjoy, and I do it my way. It has led to unexpected work opportunities, (reels for brands) but for others it may not be a focus, and that’s okay.
For me, success is about whether I’m being true to how I want to show up, whether I’m supporting my clients to feel more energetic, confident and balanced, and whether I’m building something sustainable, at a pace that feels right for me and in a way that fits the life I want to live (and I’m absolutely loving it!)
Too often we measure success only by money or power. Of course, we all want to earn a living and feel accomplished, but my own “third metric” is based on well-being, wisdom, joy and authenticity:
- Well-being: being healthy, rested and balanced
- Wisdom: pausing, reflecting and choosing with purpose
- Joy: noticing small moments and staying curious & flexible with yourself
- Authenticity: staying true to yourself and your path
When I stopped measuring success by external markers and held on tight to these measures instead, everything shifted.
I gave myself space to think and be creative. I stopped trying to tick off an endless to-do list and focused on consistency and connection – showing up for my clients, doing the work I enjoy, and trusting that momentum would come in its own time. And it has.
I’ve launched my first sell-out event, my client base is growing, I’m delivering talks, and I feel calm and clear about where I’m heading. That happened when I let go of the pressure I had put on myself.
So if there’s one thing I’d love to pass on, it’s this: success doesn’t have to mean rushing or doing it all. Define what success looks like for you, be patient with yourself, and build your life in a way that supports your well-being as much as your ambition.
When you create from that place – from balance, joy and trust in your own path – success stops feeling like a checklist and starts feeling genuinely fulfilling.
I’d love to hear your thoughts ?
