Goal-setting, gut instincts and success strategies

There's more than one success formula, but it doesn't sell as many books

Muzammil Soorma, Dave Ruck via Unsplash

Professional success is a complex journey, and although gurus and professional influencers will have us believe otherwise, it looks different for everyone.

I’ve always berated myself for following my instincts in my career decisions or in developing strategies. Somehow it always felt unprofessional, or naive, or as if I didn’t know my theory well enough.

Over the years, though, and in many conversations with peers and mentors, independent makers and corporate players, I realized that achieving success is as much about finding the right approach as it is about knowing yourself. And that a well-trained gut instinct is as valuable as any tactical approach, if not more so.

When it comes to achieving professional success and designing a fulfilling career, individuals express tendencies that fall somewhere on a spectrum between being goal-oriented or intuitive. Each of these two categories possesses its own distinct set of characteristics and preferences, that influence how they approach their career aspirations and strive for success, as well as how they define what success means to them both in terms of outcomes and personal fulfillment.

Success Approach

Typically, each of us is somewhere in between these two extremes. Where exactly we are on the spectrum is something every individual has to identify for themselves.

So how do these two approaches impact how we achieve success?