I’m asking these questions today because it’s the 18th anniversary of my law practice.
I’ve learned a lot in those 18 years, and a lot has changed. You can imagine how the technology that I was using when I started out has changed, for example.
I usually give three little takeaways in my videos, but today you’re going to get two bonus ones because I have a lot to say about success and how much my definitions of it have changed over the years.
The first thing I learned is that success is defined differently by everyone. I didn’t know that going in. I was using someone else’s blueprint basically. I was following along, probably just trying to survive, which is not really the best plan.
If your primary goal in life is to survive, you’re already setting yourself up for failure. None of us are getting out alive.
The second thing I learned is that success is defined differently at different times. I was…we’ll just say younger when I started my firm. I’m not going to tell how old I was at the time. You can figure it out if you do a little research. My life has changed dramatically, what I want at this stage of my business is different, and how I define success is different.
Third, you can be successful and not feel it, and vice versa.
Fourth, you can find success that you don’t want. This is where you work in that Zone of Competence. You become very good at something, but maybe it’s not what lights you up and what you want to do for the rest of your life. Don’t sacrifice.
And fifth, no success is wholly self-created. We need other people.
If you’re stuck in your small business, reach out to me and schedule your free 30-minute breakthrough call.
In the meantime, keep listening with your third ear for those hurt you can heal.
Prefer to DIY first?
Nance L. Schick, Esq. is the chief resolution officer for many of her small business clients and a New York City-based conflict resolution consultant for her international clients. Her goal is to keep them out of court and build their conflict resolution skills so everyone has a better work experience. She is certified in alternative dispute resolution by the EEOC, FINRA, and ICERM. She is also creator of the Third Ear Conflict Resolution process, author of DIY Conflict Resolution, and an award-winning entrepreneur acknowledged by Super Lawyers (ADR, 2018, 2019 & 2020), the New York Economic Development Corporation/B-Labs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Enterprising Women Magazine, and more. For now, these seem to fit her definition of success.