Introduction
As we continue in the new year, the allure of a fresh start and the pursuit of success beckon us. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions, however, often falls victim to a barrage of “shoulds.” In this article, we break away from the conventional resolution mindset and invite you to focus on what truly matters—your aspirations and defining success on your terms.
Reflecting on 2023
The past year has been intense, with many of us caught up in a whirlwind of busyness and multitasking. Amidst the chaos, it’s easy to lose sight of our true pursuits. Modern Mentor emphasizes the importance of defining success on a personal level, aligning with your unique vision of achievement.
Charting Your Path to Success
- 1. Define a Challenge for Yourself
Starting with your end goal, identify a challenge that pushes you beyond your comfort zone.
For me, in 2023, I set a goal of speaking on more and bigger stages. That was the success measure I had put in place.
In order to get there, I was going to have to create some uncomfortable challenges for myself. To get comfortable being really uncomfortable. So what did this involve for me? What was the big challenge I set for myself? OMG it was so uncomfortable. But it was really putting myself out there in ways, like…
o  Publicly posting my speaking reel all over LinkedIn,
o  Actively searching for relevant events and positioning my expertise as a value-add for their conference attendees
o  Reaching out to past and current clients for advice and suggested events along the way (and event introductions where relevant)
Now I had to find ways to do all these things authentically. It’s a fine line and I hope I struck the balance more than I didn’t. But I gave myself grace, and feel proud of how “out there” I let myself get.
The discomfort of putting oneself out there involves publicizing a speaking reel on LinkedIn, actively seeking relevant events, and reaching out to clients for advice and event suggestions.
2. Expand Your Network, Thoughtfully
Because as the great Barbra Streisand says, “people who need people are the luckiest people in the world!” Hey – just because something’s cringey doesn’t mean it’s not true.
I’m not talking here about having friends in high places. But about who you need to be connecting with that can help you move toward your goal.
Given what you want to achieve in 2024, who can you reach out to that might…
o  Teach you about a part of the business you’re considering moving into?
o  Give you an opportunity to lead a project or coach a team member to ready you for a leadership role?
o  Make an introduction on your behalf?
o  Help you understand and navigate the politics of your organization?
Strategically build or tap into your network to facilitate your journey. Connect with individuals who can contribute to your goals, whether through learning about a new business area, providing leadership opportunities, making introductions, or helping navigate organizational politics. The key is to approach networking thoughtfully, seeking mutual value.
For me in 2023? This looked like vastly expanding my network of conference and event planners.
This can feel uncomfortable – even for me. But I took my own advice and reached out in ways that didn’t seem overly self-serving.
Instead of just aggressively pitching myself as a speaker, I reached out in curiosity about their event, their audience, and their objectives. I engaged in conversations about what success for them could look like, and then – when appropriate – offered an idea about how my work might serve their goals.
I added a lot of amazing people to my network this year – and I plan to do it again in this new year.
3. Learn Something
I feel like “continuous learning” is one of those buzzy phrases that gets a lot of lip service. But really – I’m a die-hard believer in its power.
Whether your ambition this year feels really big (like getting the promotion or starting your own business) or a little smaller (like staying steady in your role because you’re still having fun) – finding ways to continue learning is such a critical piece of your success. And engagement.
What skill are you hoping to build this year to help you stand out against your peers?
What idea do you want to explore?
What do you want to sharpen up? Your communication? Leadership? Your ability to be inclusive with your team?
For me, in 2023, it was largely about building my virtual engagement toolkit. As in – I spoke at some in-person events and some virtual events. Speaking in person is something I’ve done for years and while not perfect, is something I do pretty well.
But speaking virtually – and finding ways to keep the audience not just paying attention but interacting and participating? That’s a thing I wanted to sharpen.
So I read a bunch of blogs. Talked to colleagues who do this. Paid close attention to post-event audience feedback. Did practice runs with my family (side note – my kids are not so generous with the audience feedback).
The learning doesn’t have to be formal. Just intentional. Learning for the sake of learning may not be so compelling. But learning in service of achievement? That’s a win.
4. Establish Healing Rituals
In the pursuit of success, maintaining balance and wellness is crucial. Create routines or rituals that contribute to your well-being and energy.
And finally. Let’s talk wellness. Balance. Because if 2023 taught us anything, it’s that overwhelm continues to be real. But I believe no matter the circumstances, there are always things – big or small – we can do to help keep ourselves in some semblance of balance.
We just have to plan for them.
So what routines or rituals – checkpoints or reminders – can you create to help keep yourself feeling well and energized?
For me, speaking is a privilege and a delight. I enjoy it – it gives me a huge rush. But also. It can be soul-crushingly exhausting. I put my whole self into a program or a talk. And I know I need spots of recharge in my calendar as well.
And yes. I do, literally, schedule these. Catch ups with friends, 20-minute blocks for reading or watching a TED talk, hitting the gym – these all keep me on my toes.
So it’s your turn. What can you commit to now – before the chaos of the year sets in – to proactively keep your soul and spirit fully fueled?
Conclusion
As we kick off the new year, this no-resolution plan encourages you to reflect on what success means to you. Embrace challenges, cultivate meaningful connections (even remotely), engage in continuous learning, and prioritize wellness. By proactively planning for balance and personal growth, you set the stage for a winning year—however, you define winning.