Finding My Path: A Journey to True Success

Hi there! I want to tell you a story about my life and what I've learned about success. For a long time, I believed that working harder than anyone else was the secret to achieving my dreams. People always say, "Work hard and you'll succeed," but I've found that there's more to it than just hard work.

In my early thirties and forties, I worked tirelessly. Imagine waking up early every day, just like a super busy mom, making breakfast for my kids, making sure their clothes were ready for school, and packing their lunches. On top of that, I was going to school online and working a full-time job. I was like a superhero trying to do it all!

I thought that by pushing myself so hard, I would find success, freedom, and happiness. I wanted to make sure my kids had a good life, even though their dad wasn't around. I wanted to prove that I could do it all on my own, especially as a single mom.

And you know what? I did achieve some success. I started as a temp at a company and worked my way up to an executive position in just five years. I was making money and checking off all the boxes that people said were important. But deep down, something didn't feel right. I ignored those feelings for a long time because I thought working harder was the answer.

The idea that working hard is the key to success sounds nice, but it's not the whole story. It's like wearing a superhero cape that hides a big secret: hard work alone doesn't create true success. I used to think that being burnt out meant I was doing something right. I thought sacrificing time with friends and family was just part of the deal.

But then something happened that changed everything. I got really sick and ended up in the hospital. It made me realize that I wasn't truly happy or fulfilled. I had achieved things, but it felt like I was just pretending. I was living a life that looked good on the outside, but inside, I felt empty.

In those quiet moments when I wasn't busy, I began to hear a different voice. It told me things I didn't want to hear: I wasn't living my own life. I was following someone else's script. I was doing everything right, but it wasn't my path.

So, I started a journey of unlearning. I questioned everything I thought I knew about success and happiness. I realized that there isn't a one-size-fits-all formula. The real key to success was inside me all along.

I discovered that my relentless drive wasn't strength; it was fear. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of falling behind. Fear of what would happen if I let go. But when I faced those fears, I found something I didn't even know I'd lost: my instinct.

Most experts talk about drive and hustle, but they don't mention the importance of listening to your inner voice. I learned that true success isn't about chasing something. It's about being in alignment with who you truly are. It's about setting goals that reflect your nature, not what others expect.

Slowing down was hard for me. I had built my identity around always doing something. But I discovered a different kind of strength in stillness. Clarity doesn't always come from thinking; sometimes, it comes from feeling.

So, I've let go of the idea that working the hardest is the only path to success. Now, I focus on being authentic and trusting myself. I know that I already have what I need inside me.

I'm still on my journey, and I don't think we ever truly "arrive." But I'm finally on my own path, and that means more to me than any hustle badge I could earn.

If you're feeling burnt out or if success hasn't felt the way you thought it would, maybe it's not you. Maybe it's time to ask a deeper question: What would your life look like if it was truly your own?

Thanks for reading my story. I hope it inspires you to find your own path to true success. Remember, you are enough just as you are!