Reclaiming Your Definition of Success – A Step-by-Step Guide For Regenerative Business

Success. It's a word we hear constantly, yet so often, we inherit someone else’s definition of it without ever stopping to ask: Does this actually feel like success to me? 

In the world of regenerative business, one of the most powerful shifts we can make is redefining success on our own terms — not inherited ones. 

This blog is an invitation to do just that. Not to reject ambition or achievement, but to move beyond the narrow, often externalised, models of success that dominate our workplaces and our self-worth.

When we choose a definition of success that genuinely aligns with who we are, we open the door to fulfilment, resilience, and regeneration — both in our lives and in our organisations. 

Regenerative Business Encourages You To Question Where Your Definition Of Success Came From 

Many of us absorb our ideas of success without question. They are shaped by: 

• Parents and upbringing: Perhaps success meant a stable job, climbing the corporate ladder, or owning a home by a certain age. 

• School and early education: Achievements were often measured by grades, awards, or being “top of the class”. 

• Peers and social media: Today, curated online lives make comparison constant. We measure ourselves against metrics that may have nothing to do with our true values. 

As Brené Brown notes in her book The Gifts of Imperfection, “When we’re defined by what people think, we lose the courage to be vulnerable and authentic.” And without authenticity, it’s hard to know what our success truly looks like. 

Regenerative Business Begins With Self-Inquiry 

In my work with clients, one of the first things I support them to do is pause — and reflect. Regenerative business is grounded in self-awareness, which is why my approach always includes space for this kind of deeper inquiry. 

Here are some questions to consider:

What Makes Me Feel Successful? 

Not what looks like success to others — but what actually leaves you feeling energised, proud, and purposeful. It might be a quiet moment of clarity, a meaningful conversation, or seeing your team thrive without your direct involvement. 

What Do I Sacrifice To “Look” Successful? 

Is it rest? Time with family? Integrity? Creativity? When we chase someone else’s model of success, we often compromise the very things that make life feel rich. 

Do I Associate Rest With Guilt? 

This one comes up again and again in conversations with leaders. We’re so conditioned to associate productivity with worth that rest feels like failure. But in regenerative business, rest is not the opposite of success — it is a vital component of it. 

A 2023 study by the American Psychological Association showed that people who regularly disconnect and prioritise downtime report higher wellbeing and long-term productivity. That’s not just anecdotal — it’s scientific. 

Letting Go Of External Validation 

This isn’t easy. We live in a world that often rewards external markers: titles, income, visibility. But chasing validation can become a treadmill — always moving, never arriving. 

Letting go of the need to be seen as “successful” by someone else doesn’t mean giving up on goals. It means you get to define the destination. It’s the difference between a life designed for applause and one designed for alignment. 

Many of my previous clients have found that when they began measuring success by how they felt — energised, authentic, connected — their business results didn’t suffer. In fact, they often improved. 

Embracing Self-Acceptance & Fulfilment 

The regenerative path invites you to view success as a state of being — not just a series of outcomes. 

Fulfilment isn’t always loud or visible. Sometimes it’s quietly knowing you’re living in alignment with your values. That your work reflects who you are, not who you think you should be. 

It takes courage to live this way — but it also brings profound freedom. 

As the late Bell Hooks wrote, “True resistance begins with people confronting pain… and wanting to make a change.” 

If the current model of success is causing disconnection, burnout, or self-doubt — there is another way. 

Redefining Success in Regenerative Business Is An Act Of Liberation 

Choosing your own definition of success is an act of leadership. It’s also an act of care — for yourself, your people, and the systems you're part of. 

In regenerative business, we don’t separate personal and professional growth. We understand that the inner shifts create the outer change. 

If you’re ready to redefine success — to make space for meaning, spaciousness, and your unique rhythm — I’d love to support you. Let’s connect and explore how we can reshape success together. 

Thank you for journeying with me through this 6-part blog series on regenerative business. If you’ve missed any previous posts or want to revisit them, they cover themes including balance, leadership, redefining hard work, and learning from nature. Each one offers a unique lens on how we can build businesses — and lives — that truly regenerate. 

Because success, when redefined consciously, has the power to transform not just what we do — but who we become.