Winning on Your Own Terms
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
By Katherine Lash
When did success stop meaning the same thing to you?
I was taught that my job was to nurture, and that nurturing always had to start with others. Today I realize that I must start with nurturing myself. When women focus solely on those around them without prioritizing health, peace, and serenity for themselves, they become depleted. I experienced this depletion firsthand. Earlier in my life I worked incessantly and long into the night to get the job done. I made a lot of personal sacrifices so that I could achieve my objectives and by doing so, “prove myself.” I found myself skipping meals, sitting for hours at a time, and surviving on 4-5 hours of sleep. I was determined to make something of myself.
The result of years of pushing, grinding, struggling, and enduring landed me in the hospital with anxiety attacks and major fatigue. This downtime forced me to conduct a deep inventory. To my dismay, I realized I was further from my goals than ever. Not only did I feel that I had not achieved the accolades and prestige I desired, but with the burnout, I was further away than ever. Something had to change, and I was the only one who could do it.
How do women measure wins differently today?
That’s when I began my journey toward self-discovery. When I became purpose-driven instead of metrics-driven, the wins became natural. I adopted a holistic approach, prioritizing my own well-being. My new life was filled with nutritious meals, daily walks, inspirational moments, and restorative sleep. I established powerful boundaries -- not just with others, but with my own mind. No more negative self-talk; no more performing for praise. I chose to live authentically as the entrepreneurial woman I knew myself to be, accepting that failure was simply part of the path.
Along with this new path was the realization that I had only one big, beautiful life. No one could create it the way I could. It was up to me. Others may approve or disapprove; it didn’t matter, I would steward myself. I would become a leader, not a follower. I would resist the temptation to please others for the sake of being seen. The only person who needed to see me was myself.
With this shift, I began seeing daily victories of authenticity, self-discovery, innovation, and new energy levels. As I shared my victories with others, I discovered that women around me were choosing to do the same. Instead of being drained by those around me, I lifted others by first lifting myself.
What internal win mattered most in your journey?
The most profound victory was the realization of my own resilience. I finally understood that what I once viewed as a collapse was actually a "breakthrough in disguise." By choosing to live fully and cherish every jagged edge of my path, I moved from a place of survival to a place of self-realization.
What surprised me most was the ripple effect. I discovered a new, collective power gaining momentum! When I became whole and balanced, I stopped chasing people and started attracting them. When we model a lifestyle of true wellness, we don't just "get the job done" -- we build respect and authority. By leading with balance, we create a path for a healthy, empowered crew to follow in our footsteps.
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