My Declaration on Success - When I Grow Up

My Declaration on Success - When I Grow Up I can hardly stand the fact that our Declaration of You Blog Lovin Tour is half-over 4 weeks down and just 4 to go! It was great getting to spend our break week together, and Jess and I felt All The Love at our Book Lovin Par-Tay on Saturday night. Thank you to everyone who joined us! Ill definitely be writing a WDS recap soon, with pics a plenty. Today is the first day of Success week! This is such a juicy topic, since it seems to be something thats really difficult to articulate for all of us. BUT its so worthwhile to do, since its a great tool to keep the shoulds away, especially when you know you want to live a creative, fulfilling, untraditional life (which I know ya do)! Success is one of those words that conjures up mansions, jewels, private jets, and women that say the word dah-ling a lot. I feel like its an immediate picture thats especially ingrained in American culture (Real Housewives, anyone?). Chances are, though, that its not your truth. Ya know, I just finished reading The 4-Hour Workweek, and while I definitely was able to take away some actionable tips to streamline my work time, I had this unease while going through the book. The lifestyle that Tim preaches about has a foundation based on, eventually, not needing to communicate with anyone almost ever about anything. Do the work to train people upfront as to how you work (i.e. you answer email for 1 hour every Monday) and let them make every other up-to-$400 decision themselves without talking to you about it. I realized that the unease I felt was that this is the exact opposite of why I started When I Grow Up. Sure, Im not looking to be in meetings for 20 hours a week and I certainly dont wanna micromanage anyone, but to never get to hop on Skype with Arwyn in a monkey hat and be able to do our business *and* catch each other up on our lives? To tell my clients that Im only available in between sessions for a 1 hour window every week which means theyd get a limited response to whatever they send me, and if they reply, tough nuggies on them? To start a project with Jess, Tanya or Emilie and have it be Strictly Business? Not my dream at all. Not even close to my version of Success. My definition of Success is full of friendships, of laughter, of time spent with family. It allows me to be where I want when I want with the people I want without having to stress about money. Its the space where I know I make a difference in the lives of those that I interact with that I bring them energy and/or optimism and/or smiles. Its where my immediate family is able to follow their passions and strengths without it being a burden. Success is eating fresh, healthy meals and making music and feeling strong in my body. Its money in the bank to retire on, its a home full of love, its trips to the beach and seeing shows. Its being supported, being surrounded by people who understand me (and love me because of it), its my family getting clean bills of health year after year, in having stress be an exception instead of a rule. Feelings. Experiences. People. Building relationships. Giving and receiving kindess and love. Good health. Making a difference. Family. Thats my declaration of Success. You can press Play on the video below to help you clarify what Success looks like to you: If you dont see an image or video, click here. Youll also find an extended interview with Jennifer Lee, coach and author of “The Right-Brain Business Plan”, on that page, too! Use the comment section below to declare your version or success, and/or write about it on your blog as part of our Blog Lovin Tour! All the details are right here.