Redefining Success: My Personal Journey

This issue’s Crystal’s Corner took me a while to write. I have been looking at my career and sometimes I get caught up in comparison with my fellow Realtor colleagues who are selling more than me or have more business than me. Then, I take a breath and realize my journey to success is personal and can’t be compared to anyone else.

I’ve learned that success is deeply personal and cannot be measured solely by comparing ourselves to others. It’s about setting personal goals and celebrating each step taken toward them, whether they lead to financial stability or enriched personal relationships.

In my own experience, I’ve found that true success often looks like having a harmonious relationship with loved ones. It’s about the quiet satisfaction of paying your bills every month without the stress of financial overload, knowing your family will enjoy a hearty meal at the end of the day. This shift towards valuing life’s simpler pleasures, like spending quality time with our children signifies a profound change in our collective mindset.

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve seen how my notion of success has evolved over the years, particularly through life’s inevitable ups and downs. With over 16 years in real estate, I’ve witnessed many personal and professional growth phases. Early in my career, like many, I was driven by traditional markers of success. However, life’s twists and turns, including a pivotal divorce, reshaped my priorities significantly.

Today, my most significant achievements are not quantified by promotions or accolades but by the laughter and love shared with my children and the small, precious moments we spend together. Every year I schedule a trip for us to be able to reconnect and create memories. This is even more important as they are growing into young adults. This spring break we took a family trip with my sister, her husband, and my nephew Jayden.

Sitting and reflecting on those moments, I sometimes am in awe of how my life has turned out. So when I catch myself comparing my level of success and doubting my work ethic, I reflect on what’s really been my priority and family has always been my #1.

Adopting this perspective doesn’t mean settling for less. Rather, it reflects a deepened understanding of what truly matters, an insight I’ve gained through both triumphs and trials. For me, setting a financial target that allowed me to provide for my family comfortably and save for annual vacations was a goal. Once I reached this target, the sense of satisfaction and security was immense.

I also measure my personal success by how positively I impact our community and the lasting impressions I leave on those around me. These efforts provide a profound sense of accomplishment. It’s about being okay with not always being at the forefront but instead finding contentment in our roles within our families, friendships, and communities. It is crucial to cultivate gratitude for what we have and to focus on what brings us joy and fulfillment.

We also need to recognize the importance of flexibility in our definitions of success. Life is unpredictable, and our goals and needs can change. Being open to this change and adjusting our measures of success is practical and essential for our well-being.

Looking ahead, I encourage all of us to embrace a measure of success that resonates on a personal level, focusing less on external validation and more on the internal satisfaction that I’ve found to be so vital. Let this be the year we all thrive by our own standards, fostering what truly brings us joy and peace.