Designing Your Own Success: 3 Small Shifts With Big Impact

Listen, success is deeply personal. No matter what people try to tell you, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The truth is, the people who truly “win” in life are those who boldly define success for themselves and design their lives unapologetically around that.  

It is time to break free from the tired idea that success equals money, titles, or external validation. For some, it’s about having time for their family; for others, it’s about creative freedom, traveling the world, or simply feeling fulfilled every day. Your version of success is yours to claim, if you are brave enough to define it and intentional enough to design it.  

Here are three actions that will guarantee you get there. 

1. Get Ridiculously Clear on What Success Looks Like for YOU 

Too many people are sprinting toward a finish line that isn’t even theirs. It is someone else’s version of success. They see someone on Instagram with a fancy car and think, “Yeah, that’s it!” But you know what happens when you chase someone else’s dream? You waste your time. 

Instead, pause for a moment and ask yourself, “What do I really want?” If success for you is working from anywhere, great! If it’s leading a team in a corporate environment, fantastic! Write it down, get granular, and don’t be swayed by outside noise. Clarity is power. When you have a crystal-clear vision of success, you’ll know exactly where to focus your energy. If you're not working toward something that genuinely excites you, you're wasting time. 

Action: Write down your top three life goals in vivid detail. Visualize them, feel them, and see them. Then start aligning your daily choices and actions with these goals. 

2. Micro-Dose Your Way to Success 

Everybody thinks success is about one massive win or that it’ll happen overnight. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Success is all built on small, consistent wins, every single day. I call it micro-dosing your way to success. The most successful people don’t set out thinking, “I’m going to change the world by Friday.” Instead, they think, “What can I do today that moves the needle just a little bit?” 

You don't need to crush it 24/7. Just put in the reps, even on days when you don’t feel like it. Doing something, no matter how small, will stack over time and lead to meaningful results. It’s about having patience while executing with consistency and intensity. 

Action: Choose 3 small, actionable goals for each day. Focus on execution, not perfection. Don’t overthink it. Just take action. And make sure these goals align with your bigger vision of success. 

3. Surround Yourself with People Who Build You Up 

Let’s talk about energy. Curate your circle like your life depends on it. Your circle is everything. You are the sum of the people you spend the most time with, so if you're surrounded by people who are constantly negative or holding you back, guess what? That energy is going to rub off on you. To guarantee your success, intentionally seek out people who inspire you, challenge you, and push you to be better. Align yourself with people who are walking the path you aspire to. 

This doesn’t mean you cut everyone out of your life, but it does mean you need to be intentional about who you let influence your mindset. If your environment isn’t serving your goals, change it. Period. 

Action: Audit your circle. Are the people around you supporting your growth? If not, start seeking out mentors, communities, and networks that align with your vision of success. 

Bonus Insight: Your Energy Levels Shape Your Success 

Energy is the lens through which you see and experience life. It influences how you react to challenges, how you lead, and how you create success on your own terms. 

Have you ever stopped to explore your energy levels? The Energy Leadership™ Index (E.L.I.) assessment is a powerful tool that holds up a mirror to your perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, helping you understand how your energy shows up in different situations. And how it affects your leadership and results. 

By raising your awareness of your energy patterns, you can consciously shift into higher levels of energy that foster confidence, creativity, and success. 

Want to explore your energy and leadership potential? Learn more here: Energy Leadership™ Index (E.L.I.) 

Final Thoughts: 

You can’t outsource your definition of success. You have to define it, design it, and take the daily actions that build it. Forget the excuses. Stop waiting for the right time or perfect opportunity. If you start with clarity, commit to consistent micro-actions, and surround yourself with the right energy, your success isn’t just possible, it’s guaranteed. Your story, your win.  

Success isn’t built overnight. It’s designed, piece by piece, just like these tiles. Ready to define what success means for YOU? Let’s start building your vision, one intentional step at a time.