Success: Balancing Your Well-Being and Goals

Success isn’t just about what you have in the bank; it’s about how you feel. While a calm and regulated nervous system doesn’t directly pay the bills, financial stability alone doesn’t ensure inner peace either. Both are crucial and interconnected.

Often, we see success portrayed in extremes: you’re either embracing a stress-free life or pushing hard for your career goals. This black-and-white thinking is itself a form of imbalance, forcing us into false choices:

• Should I focus on my career or on maintaining peace of mind?

• Should I pursue my professional ambitions or prioritise being a good mother?

• Should I lead a big team or handle everything on my own?

I’ve been on both sides of this dilemma and learned that true success encompasses various aspects:

• Peace of Mind: Feeling calm and in control.

• Quality Relationships: Enjoying meaningful connections.

• Health and Vitality: Being physically and mentally well.

• Passion and Purpose: Engaging in activities that fulfill you.

• Choice: Having the freedom to make decisions that align with your values.

To truly succeed, you need to recognise when you’ve reached your “enough” point – the stage where your basic needs are met. Only then can you pursue more from a place of joy and growth, rather than from a sense of lack or fear.

As Steff and I was reflecting on our journey as working mums, I remember working tirelessly to reach a level of financial stability especially because I had 3 children to support financially by myself now only 2 as one has flown the nest. Even after achieving it, I continued to operate as if nothing was ever enough, I think it’s was out of fear more than anything. Fear of not being able to pay a bill or if the kids need something not being able to provide that. This leads to stress and a constant chase for more. It wasn’t until I acknowledged that I had surpassed my “enough” point that I could start making decisions from a place of calm and joy.

When you understand and accept your “enough” point:

• Goals Become Opportunities: Hitting bigger targets feels exciting rather than urgent.

• Comfort with Limits: It’s easier to say no or leave opportunities if they don’t align with your well-being.

• Inner Validation: You stop seeking worth from external achievements and recognise your inherent value.

If you’re currently pushing hard to reach your financial or personal stability, remember that this is a necessary phase. But if you’ve already achieved enough and still feel the urge to hustle, it might be time to slow down and reassess your motivations.

To explore where you stand, try this journaling prompt over the week:

“What does ‘enough’ mean to me in terms of my career, family, and personal life?

How do I feel about where I am right now?”

Reflecting on these questions can help you find a balance that works for you, combining both success and inner peace.

Fiona - The Solo Mum Club x