Align with your values.
Measure success by how closely your actions align with your values and principles. For example, a person may prioritize flexibility over other benefits and opt for a “lower level position” to attain it. If someone values relationships and being close to family, they might make choices that keep them closer to home.
Have you ever noticed how often we equate success with more? Whether that’s more products, more profits, more activities or more accomplishments, we buy into the belief that we have to do more to have more to be more. And that will sum up to success. And then along comes The Great Resignation. Where employees are signaling that the “more” that’s being offered — even more pay, more perks, and more PTO — isn’t summing up to success for them. We visited with leaders who are redefining what success means now. Their answers might surprise you.
As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Liz Haber Zambrano.
Liz Haber Zambrano, a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, founded Living In Zen (L.I.Z.) Coaching to partner with clients in designing fulfilling lives both at work and at home. With over 10 years of experience as a professional coach and leadership development trainer, she has impacted the lives of thousands of people from diverse backgrounds. As an executive leadership coach, Liz equips individuals with skills in creativity, communication, inspiration, and effective leadership, drawing from over 1,500 professional training hours and a global background in coaching.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about the topic of our time. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
Sure!
Today, I earn a living as a professional coach, assisting clients in achieving harmony, fulfillment, and well-being across their personal life, career, and relationships. And that’s exactly how I try to live today but it wasn’t always like that.
Over a decade ago, I entered this field during a challenging period in my life when I sought clarity. Back then, I believed I should have the “perfect life,” with an ideal career, abundant wealth, and the perfect partner. Struggling under this pressure, I resorted to drugs and alcohol, which temporarily eased the burden but led to a downward spiral. Realizing I needed a change, I embarked on a personal healing journey of recovery and discovered coaching and personal development transformation. This transformative experience taught me resilience, how to overcome obstacles, and the importance of defining my own values and success. Today, as a coach, I draw upon these experiences to better serve my clients.
We all have myths and misconceptions about success. What are some myths or misconceptions that you used to believe?
I believed that success was equated with status. Success was defined by what other people told me it was, whether that was parents, teachers, bosses, advertisements, cultural pressures, or society at large. Success is defined by external pressures at different stages of life. When I was a kid, success was defined as getting good grades and excelling in extracurricular activities. As an adult, it takes the form of having a good job, making lots of money, having the perfect body, and having the perfect family. If you have kids, your success is also determined by the grades they get and whether they shine in extracurricular activities, thus continuing the cycle. And I actually don’t know many people who are excelling in all of these aspects.
How has your definition of success changed?
My definition of success has evolved to align with my genuine values and desires, rather than merely adopting a societal norm. While there may still be some areas of overlap, I now prioritize my own terms and aspirations. When I am part of a team defining success, I believe in working collaboratively to shape its meaning according to our shared values and true aspirations.
The pandemic, in many ways, was a time of collective self-reflection. What changes do you believe we need to make as a society to access success post pandemic?
The pandemic served as a period of collective self-reflection. As a society, I believe we need to prioritize the quality of life in our pursuit of success post-pandemic. The conventional notion of working hard for someone else, retiring at 65+, and then enjoying life is being challenged. People are increasingly seeking ways to enhance their life experience and achieve a better balance between work, relationships, health, and overall well-being.
What do you see as the unexpected positives in the pandemic? We would love to hear a few of your stories or examples.
The pandemic brought unexpected positives, showcasing our ability to be innovative and adapt to new ways of working and connecting. Hybrid and remote work has become a standard option in many businesses, providing people with increased flexibility and an improved quality of life.
Personally, I have experienced the benefits of attending events that I might have missed before, such as a friend’s wedding in England or my cousin’s high school graduation, thanks to the prevalence of live streaming. Additionally, the pandemic has encouraged my grandmother to become more comfortable with FaceTiming, allowing her to connect with her great-grandchildren more frequently. These examples illustrate how challenging times have inspired positive changes in our lives and connections.
We’re all looking for answers about how to be successful now. Could you please share “5 Ways To Redefine Success Now?”
1. Align with your values.
- Measure success by how closely your actions align with your values and principles. For example, a person may prioritize flexibility over other benefits and opt for a “lower level position” to attain it. If someone values relationships and being close to family, they might make choices that keep them closer to home.
2. Fulfillment in relationships.
- Many of my clients are high achievers who already have numerous material successes and hold top positions in their careers. However, what they truly desire the most are meaningful relationships. Viewing success through this lens, we work towards nurturing those connections and fostering supportive, open, and strong relationships with those they care about.
3. Prioritize Wellbeing and Happiness.
- We all know people who have achieved what society deems as “success” but are still miserable and unhealthy. From this perspective, success means prioritizing mental and physical health, as well as life satisfaction and an overall sense of well-being.
4. Impact and contribution.
- Defining success by the impact made on others’ lives leads to a fulfilling life. Instead of asking, ‘what’s in it for me?’ or ‘what can I get out of this?’ try asking, ‘What am I here to contribute and give?’
5. Embrace the journey.
- View every experience as a process of growth, learning, and opportunity, rather than solely focusing on the end result. By doing so, we open ourselves to appreciate the beauty and greatness that we might otherwise miss.”
How would our lives improve if we changed our definition of success?
By redefining success, our lives could improve in several ways. First, we would experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, as our goals and achievements would be aligned with our true passions and values. Second, we may find greater balance and harmony between different aspects of our lives, such as work, relationships, and personal well-being. Lastly, redefining success can lead to reduced stress and pressure, as we focus on our individual growth and progress, rather than solely comparing ourselves to external standards.
What’s the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of our redefined success? And what advice would you offer about overcoming those obstacles?
Expectations — whether they come from society, close relationships, or even ourselves. It’s crucial to remember that we are the ones living this life day in and day out. Take the time to examine what truly makes it feel like a success to you, and then take action towards achieving it!
Additionally, be prepared to accept that not everyone will embrace your new definition of success. Societal and cultural standards remain deeply ingrained in our environments. Acknowledging this as part of the process will help prevent these external pressures from impeding our journey to success. Stay focused on your authentic path, and don’t let external opinions deter you from achieving your redefined version of success. And surround yourself with people who support you on you journey.
Where do you go to look for inspiration and information about how to redefine success?
First, my clients serve as fantastic examples of the happiness that comes from examining and redefining success on our own terms. Witnessing their transformative journeys is truly fulfilling. Additionally, I find great inspiration from social media, where I come across uplifting stories of individuals living their best lives, making a positive impact, and fostering meaningful relationships. These stories remind me of the endless possibilities that lie ahead when we embrace our unique definitions of success.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He, she or they might just see this if we tag them.
Berene Brown. I admire her work tremendously and much of her research points to the need and effectiveness of redefining what success is, especially in the corporate world and I’m grateful for that.
Personally, I would love to have a private meeting with Brené Brown. I hold great admiration for her work, and much of her research emphasizes the importance and effectiveness of redefining success, particularly in the corporate world. I am grateful for the insights she shares, and meeting her would be an incredible opportunity to delve deeper into the topic of redefining success and its impact on our lives.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Thank you for sharing your insights and predictions. We appreciate the gift of your time and wish you continued success and wellness.