I was clearing out the hallway cupboard this week and came across my tub of teenage keepsakes. You know the ones—diaries, old birthday cards, early payslips, and all sorts of “certificates.” In amongst those relics were three driving test failure certificates and my GCSE results, which proudly boasted a mix of Cs, Ds, and Es. I was clearly not academically successful but it did remind me how much I’ve learned through failure and what it means to me. With Activator as my #1 CliftonStrengths talent and Learner right at the bottom at #34, failure has truly been my teacher. I often say that I jump right in and if I fail then Positivity kicks in and then Maximizers thinks about how I could do it better next time.
Recently, I was on the Success Matters podcast with my former colleague and friend, Sanja. When he asked me, “What does success mean to you?” it got me thinking, and naturally, I started by looking up the definition: “Success is the state or condition of meeting a defined range of expectations.” In my corporate sales days, those expectations were usually set for me—meet the targets, earn the bonus. If you missed the mark, it was right there on your review, with no room for misinterpretation. But for the last ten years, I’ve been running my own business, setting my own goals, and defining success on my terms.
I also looked up the opposite of success. I found a whole array of words—failure, bomb, bust, and my personal favourite, bungle. Bungling is something I’m well acquainted with. These aren’t life-or-death bungles, but they’re the kind I can look back on and laugh about. And I would still absolutely call my business a success. Each year, I set my own expectations, my targets for revenue, profit, and the goals I want to hit. Writing my book, for instance, was on my list four years in a row—and I got there in the end.
Often, we hesitate to start something out of a fear of failing, but I think failure is where all the real learning hides. I’ve launched workshops where no one signed up, sent out emails with spelling errors, posted content no appeared to engage with and sent emails on the wrong dates. And yet, every one of those failures or bungles has taught me something I needed to know.
Embracing Limiting Beliefs and Turning Them into Strengths
I once believed my dyslexia was a reason not to write a book. But over time, I realised that it gave me a unique way of viewing and expressing ideas. It challenged me to be more visual and creative, ultimately making my work more engaging. In Career Unstuck, I encourage readers to identify these so-called “limitations” and ask: Could this be a hidden strength? Often, our limitations help us see things differently, enabling us to bring creativity and fresh perspective to what we do.
From Corporate Expectations to Personal Purpose
In the corporate world, success is often defined by meeting sales targets and KPIs. In starting and running my own business, I’ve found that true success for me comes from purpose-driven work. When I wrote Career Unstuck, I wanted it to be more than a career guide—I wanted it to be a catalyst for anyone feeling stuck to define success on their own terms, not someone else’s. It’s incredibly freeing when you begin to think of your career in terms of your own purpose rather than a series of external targets.
The Power of Strengths-Based Work and Finding Fulfillment
One thing I emphasise in everything I do, including the book is the power of knowing your strengths—and weaknesses—when finding meaningful work. I realised my talents of Activator and Woo, was energised by connecting with others and helping them take action. Recognising and nurturing our talents helps us to find roles and environments where we feel most engaged. A strengths-based approach isn’t about avoiding our weaknesses but about finding ways to do more of what we’re best at, so we can feel fulfilled and purposeful in our work.
Taking Small Steps Toward Big Goals
I’m a big believer in just taking the first step, no matter how small. Often, it’s that initial nudge that propels us forward, even if we’re not sure of the outcome. I am known for encouraging dip their toes into change by starting with small actions. Because you don’t think your way into something new like a new career; you act your way into it. By focusing on small actions, we reduce the pressure to have it all figured out and can instead begin experimenting and learning from each step forward.
Beyond Titles and Income
Once upon a time, success for me was tied to achieving targets or getting that next promotion. But now, it’s about the impact I make, the people I connect with, and the difference I see in others when they start believing in their own potential. Career Unstuck isn’t just about finding a job you love—it’s about crafting a life and career that align with what truly matters to you. Success, for me, now means helping others realise their potential and playing my part in making that possible.
Success is a continuous journey, not a final destination. It’s the growth, the overcoming, and the countless lessons tucked within each setback and triumph that shape the success we create for ourselves. Each “bungle” is a stepping stone forward, and each act of courage to try again is what makes our journey so meaningful and its not just about academic results!
