Episode 56

How Do We Define Success? with Sam Thomas

Published on: 12th September, 2024

In this episode, I am joined by Sam Thomas to explore the evolving concept of success. Sam, an entrepreneur and podcast host, shares personal stories about how his view of success shifted from a purely financial goal to one centred around relationships, fulfilment, and well-being. We discuss how societal pressures, especially on men, shape our success definitions and how these pressures can lead to feelings of failure and self-worth issues.

We share our experience on the importance of aligning success with values like love, relationships, and personal integrity, rather than just financial milestones. Sam also reflects on a pivotal moment when he faced deep emotional struggles, which eventually transformed his perspective on success, teaching him to appreciate the love and relationships surrounding him.

Key Learnings:

  1. Redefining Success: Success is not just about financial achievements but also about relationships, fulfillment, and personal growth.
  2. Societal Pressures: There is a strong societal focus on financial success, especially for men, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure.
  3. The Journey Matters: The process and experiences along the way are more important than reaching specific financial or status milestones.
  4. Emotional Health: Success should not come at the cost of personal relationships or emotional well-being.
  5. Living in the Present: Finding joy and fulfilment in everyday moments and aligning actions with personal values lead to a deeper sense of success.

Timestamps:

  • [00:00] Introduction – How do we define success? Meet Sam Thomas and his journey.
  • [00:02] Early Views of Success – Sam’s early ambitions for wealth, cars, and status.
  • [00:04] The Pressures of Success – How society pushes financial success and the toll it takes.
  • [00:06] External Validation Trap – The dangers of seeking approval from others and how to find inner fulfillment.
  • [00:09] Sam’s Turning Point – A personal story of emotional struggle and a shift in perspective.
  • [00:18] Success and Relationships – How love and relationships redefined Sam’s idea of success.
  • [00:23] Breaking Free from Comparison – How comparing yourself to others leads to feelings of failure.
  • [00:33] The Power of Present-Moment Awareness – Learn how to find happiness now, not in the future.
  • [00:42] Stories of True Success – Real examples of people finding fulfilment beyond financial success.
  • [00:52] Final Thoughts – Aligning your life with your values for long-lasting fulfilment.

Get in touch with Sam

If this episode has caught your attention and you wish to learn more about Sam at County Business Clubs, please contact him here.

Get in touch with Sal

If this episode has caught your attention and you wish to learn more, then please contact me.

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About the Podcast

Mindset, Mood & Movement: Systems Thinking for Founder
Human performance podcast for life and business
Welcome to the Mindset, Mood & Movement Podcast. Your essential resource for founders, freelancers, and business owners looking to optimise their mindset, health, and business success.

Dive deep into the realm of human performance with us as we explore the systemic connections between psychology, emotions, and physical wellbeing, and their profound impact on achieving success and fulfilment in both personal and professional life.

Discover 3 key outcome areas: enhancing performance, redefining fulfilment, and cultivating peace of mind. Join me as I feature guest specialists in various fields, offering invaluable insights and expertise plus mini-episodes where I address specific challenge and provide actionable guidance on overcoming these obstacles.

Each episode is crafted to provide education, tools and strategies for you, whether you're navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship or seeking personal growth in your professional journey. My podcast serves as your ultimate guide to self-improvement and achieving excellence in your endeavours.

Expect to gain practical insights, delve into expert interviews, and receive actionable strategies tailored to the unique needs of small business owners and ambitious individuals striving to make a positive impact on the world.

About your host

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Sal Jefferies

I’m Sal - Human Performance Coach, Educator and Founder.

Everything I coach and teach is what I practice in my life. Mindset work including psychological and emotional development. And for my physical health, I do strength training, fitness and breathing practices. In all areas, I'm constantly learning and always growing.

At mid-life, I'm curious to how we can shape the second half of our life whilst using the latest science and learning's from psychology, emotional regulation and physical health. Over the last 25 years, I have immersed myself in many Eastern influences from philosophy, yoga and meditation. I find in our current world, there's much to learn by combining the latest science with ancient wisdom.

For me, working on the mind is paramount. Also, remaining fit, healthy and curious helps me increase performance, find fulfilment and create peace of mind. I believe this is important both a personal and professional life.

My professional endeavours, which inform my work, include:
Human Performance Coaching (for Founders), Contemporary Psychotherapist, Yoga Teacher, Strength & Conditioning Trainer and Breathwork Trainer. Before this latest chapter of my life, I've been a Photographer, Advertising Exec & Dancer.

When I'm not working, educating or learning, I'll be out with my dogs by the sea in Brighton, UK.