Why We Need To Redefine What Success Looks Like For The Modern Woman

The standards and demands of success look different for the modern-day woman. It’s not solely based on her expectations, but on society’s entrenched stereotypes that ambitious women must fight against daily. Though it isn’t fair or just, inevitably, success for a modern woman and man looks completely different.

Redefining what success looks like for the modern woman can be done if viewed from a realistic viewpoint. In fact, Her Agenda has gathered ways to do just that.

It is possible to have it all, but having it all can only be defined by you. Not everyone wants the traditional ‘career, marriage, baby’ storyline, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, people will make you believe that if you don’t have that, especially by your 30s, that something is wrong with you.

The truth is, creating your wholeness is all about what makes you feel complete; even if that means being single, don’t let society, your family, or strangers make you believe that you are lacking something you don’t desire, because every day you have one person to please, yourself.

The modern woman is a hustler on a continuous basis. Most success stories talk a lot about grinding for their rightful spot, sacrificing time with friends and loved ones, while having little to no time for their love life. However, there has to be a give and take. Putting a halt to hustling means, even if you’re not dating, you allot time to yourself to decompress, although hustle culture would disagree.

Evolve to Grow believes hustle culture has become a badge of honor for entrepreneurs and startups. As well as the idea that hustling is the only way to make a business work (it’s not), there is some notion out there that overworking is the only way to show you are committed to what you are doing and to earn some respect (maybe some sympathy), well, you won’t be getting it from me. 

Just like life, success looks different for everyone. No one has the same story, so things won’t reflect the same reality; in understanding this, defining success on your terms means carving out what happiness, fulfillment, and accomplishments look like to you. This means that your goals that you complete sit well with you, nobody else; this also means you can’t allow someone to define your success, after all, how can they tell you what your success should look like when they haven’t traveled the same path as you?

Psychology Today says that many of us have set conditions, often based on societal and external standards, around our success. We have convinced ourselves that once something specific happens or a milestone is achieved, then we will feel OK. Then, we will feel happy. Then, we will feel successful.

For example:

• When I finish my professional certification, I will feel confident in my expertise.
• When I get promoted, then I will feel accomplished in my career.
• When I earn a higher salary, then I will feel my hard work is paying off.
• When I receive recognition or an award, I will feel valued and respected.

Good health has no place in unhealthy habits and behaviors. Working tirelessly, getting no sleep, and eating unhealthy meals isn’t what success looks like. Celebrities brag tirelessly about never getting sleep or sleeping when they’re dead, but the truth is, you can’t make sound decisions, and definitely not good business deals.

According to Saatva, anyone who’s ever stayed up all night knows even one night without sleep affects your ability to think clearly, focus your attention, or make decisions. Studies show sleep deprivation can impair your mental function as much as being intoxicated.