How do you define success? If you do not have clarity about what success is then all roads lead there. Without clarity you may never arrive or, worse yet, arrive at a destination (or outcome) you never intended.
Whether you are defining a task, creating a project scope statement or thinking about your life, it is critical to make the time to define success.
As you create a definition of success consider:
- What does “good enough” look like? Perfection is an impossible goal. When you are clear on “good enough” then take time to celebrate when you have reached it.
- What is finished? We were working with a project team who was unable to define what “finished” meant. It created tremendous frustration for everyone being impacted by the project. To move on to what is next it is helpful to have closure. Unclear definitions of finished mean that you will never really be done.
- Does it matter when? Is there a specific time frame that is critical? Some goals are fabulous if they are completed. Other goals are interdependent or have time boundaries. Be clear on timing.
- What will be different (mindset, behavior or skills)? Make sure your definition is complete and includes the components that really matter. We have observed many incomplete definitions that lead to less than satisfactory outcomes because they did not include these other dimensions.
If anything is important enough to give your time to, it is important to make the time to define success. What outcome will make the investment of your time worthwhile?
We believe that the good life is different for everyone. What does success mean to you? Or as Clayton Christensen wrote about, How Will You Measure Your Life?
When to use
- When you or your team lack clarity about what success looks like for a task, project or season of life.
- When people are struggling with perfectionism and need a clear definition of “good enough.”
- When there is confusion or frustration about when something is truly finished.
- When timing, dependencies or time boundaries are creating uncertainty about goals.
- When you want to include mindset, behavior and skills in your definition of a successful outcome.
TL;DR
- Without a clear definition of success you may never arrive or may end up at an unintended destination.
- Clarifying “good enough” helps you recognize completion and celebrate progress.
- Defining what “finished” means reduces frustration and creates closure so you can move on.
- Being explicit about timing and interdependencies prevents missed expectations and disappointment.
- Robust success definitions include changes in mindset, behavior and skills, not just task completion.