Redefining Business Success: Beyond Revenue Goals and Work-Life Balance

In the world of online business, success often seems to be defined in black and white terms. You're either chasing the elusive "10K months" or prioritising work-life balance by "picking up your kids from school every day." But what if I told you that true business success lies somewhere in the grey area between these extremes?

In this blog post, we're going to dive deep into the concept of redefining business success. We'll explore:

1. The problem with one-size-fits-all success metrics

2. How success can be seasonal, changing with different phases of life and business

3. Common success themes among ambitious entrepreneurs

4. My personal journey in redefining success over the past seven years

5. How the Lionhearted CEO Mastermind approaches success

6. Practical steps for defining your own unique version of success

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or you're a seasoned business owner feeling disconnected from your current success metrics, this blog will provide you with a fresh perspective and actionable insights.

Let's challenge the status quo and redefine what success means for you and your business.

1. The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Success

The online business world loves a good, catchy success metric. "Six-figure launches," "Freedom to travel the world," "4-hour work week" - these phrases are thrown around as if they're the ultimate goals every entrepreneur should strive for. But here's the truth: success isn't one-size-fits-all.

These generic success metrics often ignore:

• Personal values and priorities

• Different life stages and responsibilities

• Varied business models and industries

• Individual definitions of fulfillment

For instance, the goal of "picking up your kids from school every day" might sound idyllic to some, but for others (like me), it might not align with their values or practical realities. I'll be honest - I don't particularly enjoy school pickup. The small talk exhausts me, and I'd much rather finish my work and then have quality time with my kids afterwards.

The key is to look beyond these surface-level success markers and dig deeper into what truly matters to you.

2. The Seasonality of Success

One of the most important things I've realised recently is that success, for me, is a seasonal thing. This applies both to different points in my business year and to different seasons of life.

For example, during the summer, my definition of success looked very different from other times of the year. I didn't set myself a specific revenue goal. Instead, I focused on maintaining momentum, reaching more dream clients, and prepping my business for the launch of my mastermind in September.

This seasonal approach to success allows for more flexibility and alignment with your life circumstances. It acknowledges that what feels successful in one season might not in another.

One of the most crucial aspects of redefining business success is understanding its seasonal nature. Your definition of success can and should change as you move through different seasons of life and business.

Here's how seasonality can affect your success metrics:

🦁 Annual Seasons:

• Summer might focus on maintaining momentum while balancing family time

• Q4 could emphasize preparing for the holiday rush or setting up for the new year

• January might be about capitalizing on the "new year, new me" energy

🦁 Life Stages:

• New parents might prioritize flexibility and steady income

• Empty nesters could focus on scaling and travel opportunities

• Mid-career entrepreneurs might emphasize impact and legacy

🦁 Business Cycles:

• Startup phase might define success as consistent client acquisition

• Growth phase could focus on building systems and teams

• Mature business might emphasize innovation and market expansion

🦁 Personal Circumstances:

• Health challenges might require redefining success around balance and self-care

• Relocation could shift focus to rebuilding networks and adapting to new markets

• Financial windfalls might allow for more risk-taking and innovation

3. Common Success Themes for Ambitious Entrepreneurs

While success is undoubtedly personal, I've noticed some common themes among my clients and mastermind applicants.

These themes often underpin more specific goals:

1. Choice and Freedom: The ability to decide how to spend your time and energy. This might manifest as control over your schedule or the flexibility to pursue passion projects.

2. Financial Stability: Consistent revenue that supports your desired lifestyle. This isn't just about hitting a specific number, but about feeling secure and able to make choices without financial stress.

3. Business Growth: Continuous expansion of audience, email list, and client base. For many, success feels like constant forward momentum.

4. Time Management: Control over your schedule and workload. This often translates to having time for both work and personal priorities without feeling constantly overwhelmed.

5. Impact: Making a difference in your clients' lives or industry. Many entrepreneurs find fulfillment in knowing their work matters.

6. Personal Development: Growing as a business owner and individual. Success for many includes continuous learning and improvement.

7. Work-Life Integration: Finding a harmonious blend between work and personal life, rather than a strict separation.

8. Recognition and Achievement: Being seen as an expert in your field or achieving specific milestones (speaking engagements, book deals, etc.)

Understanding these common themes can help you articulate your own success metrics more clearly.

4. Redefining Success: My Personal Journey

My own definition of success has evolved dramatically over the past seven years.

Here's a glimpse into how my success metrics have changed:

Seven Years Ago (with a 10-month-old daughter):

• Keeping my daughter in part-time nursery

• Generating enough income to cover nursery fees

• Finding the courage to post on social media

• Building a network of other business owners

Today:

• Taking December off to focus on family

• Having control over my diary (no calls before 10 AM or after 2 PM)

• Going for a walk every day before work

• Building a team to support clients even when I'm not available

• Generating consistent revenue from scalable offers

• Creating space for creativity and strategic thinking

This evolution reflects changes in my personal life, business growth, and shifting priorities. It's a testament to the importance of regularly reassessing what success means to you.

5. Success in the Lionhearted CEO Mastermind

When designing my Lionhearted CEO Mastermind, I put a lot of thought into what success would look like for the participants. The common thread I found wasn't about specific revenue goals or lifestyle choices.

Instead, it centred around:

• Choice in how to spend time and energy

• Financial freedom and consistent growth

• Building a business that runs smoothly with or without the owner's constant presence

• Creating a firm foundation of systems, team, and scalable offers

The mastermind focuses on redefining business success by helping participants step into a CEO mentality. It's about creating a business that makes scaling not just possible, but inevitable.

We work in quarterly sprints, allowing for focused progress while acknowledging that success metrics may shift from quarter to quarter. For example, Q4 might focus on setting up a funnel and planning for the holiday season, while Q1 might emphasise scaling ad spend and launching new offers.

6. Conclusion: Your Unique Definition of Success

Redefining business success is about moving beyond the one-size-fits-all metrics we often see online. It's about digging deep into your values, understanding your current life season, and aligning your business goals accordingly.

Remember, it's okay for your definition of success to evolve. What felt like success when you were just starting out might not fit your vision now. The key is to regularly check in with yourself and adjust your goals and metrics as needed.

As you think about redefining business success for yourself, consider these questions:

1. What does freedom and choice look like in your current life season?

2. How can your business support your personal values and priorities?

3. What would make you feel successful beyond just hitting a revenue target?

4. How can you build seasonality into your success metrics?

Redefining business success is an ongoing process. It's about creating a business that not only generates revenue but also aligns with your values, supports your lifestyle, and brings you genuine fulfilment.

Remember, your version of success is unique to you. Embrace it, refine it, and let it guide you in building a business that brings you joy as well as financial freedom.

What next?

If you’ve found this blog post useful, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:

1) Love an Instagram story? Good, me too! Come say hi & access plenty more of my free tips over on: @sophiegriffithsco

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Listen to the full podcast episode for additional insights and tips here.