How do you actually define success?

Hey Reader,

If you look up the literal, dictionary definition of success, you’ll find words like favorable outcome, attainment of wealth, position, or honors.

For a long time, that was my baseline. Having served as a VP at a Fortune 50 company, I knew how to measure success by corporate standards: titles, compensation, visibility, and performance metrics.

Now, three years post-corporate, I’m in a completely different season. I’m building Anchored by LCJ, creating content, doing gig work, and raising my family in real time. And I’ve had to deeply wrestle with a hard question:

How do I define success when the tangible metrics look entirely different than they used to?

Don't get me wrong—I still love nice things. Some of my friends call me bougie. I like to call it "particular". 😂 I'll never apologize for enjoying the "finer things in life" in the areas that matter most to me. I know my husband wishes I had cheaper hobbies.

Material goals of all sorts are great, but if my worth, value, and definition of success are strictly tied to them, I'm setting myself up for constant discontentment. This is where I find my self bouncing back and forth the most.

When you are in the middle of a major transition, you have to reshape and redefine what winning actually looks like. Success becomes less about reaching a final destination and more about collecting breadcrumbs on the journey.

It reminds me of what James Clear writes about habits and goals. He points out that true change isn't about setting goals; it's about identity. Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.

So, if success isn't just the final trophy, maybe success is simply casting those daily votes:

• Am I showing up as the present, patient mom I want to be for my son today? That’s a vote.
• Am I sharing the gifts God gave me, even when the room feels smaller than it used to? That’s a vote.
• Am I choosing grace over shame when things don't go according to plan? That’s a vote.

Success becomes the process of creating the identity God designed for you—one daily breadcrumb at a time.

Introducing: Today’s 5 Daily Anchors

Starting today, we’re taking every lesson a step further. I’m introducing a new daily feature to help us move from reading to real application. Every edition will now close with The 5 Daily Anchors—a quick check-in across Faith, Move, Build, Connect, and Reflect to help you apply today’s truth directly to your life.

Faith: Remind yourself whose you are. Today’s success is trusting that God is directing your steps, even when the path doesn't match your old playbook.

Move: Cast a physical vote for your capacity today—take a 15-minute walk, stretch, or step outside to breathe.

Build: Place down one small "breadcrumb" of progress toward your new vision today. Put one brick down and call it a win.

Connect: Reach out to a friend, your spouse, or a peer and share an honest moment without pretense.

Reflect (Journal Prompt):How have I been defining "success" lately, and am I holding myself to corporate metrics in a season that requires grace?

I want to hear from you. How do you personally define success right now? Has that definition changed over time?

Hit reply and let me know. I read every single response that comes through.

Talk soon,

LCJ