In this episode, Niamh Moynihan challenges the traditional view of success and asks you to consider what success truly means to you. She shares her personal journey of redefining success beyond job titles and seniority to find personal fulfillment.
00:00 Redefining Success Beyond Titles
03:04 The Importance of Personal Fulfilment
05:15 Taking Action Towards Your Definition of Success
Niamh reflects on her early career, where she defined success by climbing the corporate ladder. This pursuit led her to overwork, say yes to everything, and ultimately burn out multiple times, not always due to a high volume of work, but because of her relentless self-pressure. She explains that while there's nothing wrong with having CEO goals, it's important to recognize that not everyone needs to aspire to a top position. The episode encourages listeners, regardless of their age or career stage, to re-evaluate their own definition of success and to consider if it is based on outdated ideas or on the life they want to live today.
Niamh suggests a thought exercise: imagine you could start over in a similar job and company, making a fresh start on how you approach your workday and the type of work you do. This exercise can help you identify what changes you would make and what a "successful" week would look like for you. The answer might be to focus on personal branding and visibility to move up, or it could be to set stronger boundaries for your personal life. It could also mean spending more time with people, learning new skills, or mastering a particular technology. By understanding your personal definition of success, you can make small, intentional changes to shift your career direction toward a more fulfilling.
Success doesn't have to be defined by seniority or job titles.
Pushing for promotions can lead to burnout, even in less hectic roles.
Your definition of success may be based on old ideas rather than your current life.
Imagining a fresh start can reveal what you truly value in your work.
Making a small change can begin to shift your career toward a more personal definition of success.
Question Your Definition of Success: Regularly ask yourself how you are measuring success and whether it aligns with your current life, not just old ideas or role models.
Seniority Isn't Everything: Recognize that while a CEO role is valid, success can be found in many different roles and levels within an organization.
Prioritize Personal Fulfillment: Focus on what you truly enjoy doing, such as helping others or solving problems, rather than just chasing promotions.
Set Boundaries: Redefining success might mean resetting your boundaries to give more attention to your personal life.
Take a Small Action: You can start moving toward your new definition of success by making one small change, like blocking off time, talking to different people, or spending more time on a specific task.
Welcome to The Better Workday Podcast with your host, Niamh Moynihan. Niamh is the founder of Better Workday. She will challenge you to think differently about how you manage your time, energy, attention and relationships at work to be successful while supporting your well-being.
In each episode Niamh shares new insights and practical ideas to help you create a better workday.
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or colleague who might also benefit from these tips. If you would like to support the podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating or review.
The Better Workday Podcast on Spotify
The Better Workday Podcast on Apple Podcasts