Ep.12 - How to define career success in the modern age, and tracking progress towards your goals

The Work Flow Podcast

Derek and Sam sat down on Ep.12 of The Work Flow Podcast to discuss career success. How to define it, how it has changed generationally, and what are the systems we use to define it and measure it for ourselves.
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START - 0:35) Introduction to the concept of a 'new kind of plot for high achievers', followed by the opening of the Workflow Podcast with hosts Sam and Derek.
(0:35 - 1:08) Discussion about the book "Never Enough" and Western achievement culture, focusing on the definition of career success and the arrival fallacy.
(1:08 - 2:02) Exploration of changing perceptions of career success over time and the influence of traditional Western ideals.
(2:02 - 3:19) Contrast between traditional markers of career success (money, power, influence) and the recent shift towards work-life balance and intrinsic values.
(3:19 - 4:08) Analysis of the pendulum swing in career values, debating the genuineness of the shift towards family importance and work-life balance.
(4:08 - 5:01) Discussion on intrinsic vs. extrinsic values in defining career success, citing the book "Never Enough."
(5:01 - 6:02) The evolution of career goals over time and the importance of balancing intrinsic and extrinsic values.
(6:02 - 7:00) Reflections on personal career success and the importance of regularly reassessing one's value system.
(7:00 - 8:15) Skepticism about the authenticity of the shift towards personal life balance in the professional world.
(8:15 - 9:59) Personal stories of career paths, focusing on the balance between ambition and personal fulfillment.
(10:00 - 11:04) The concept of considering one's future self in decision-making, and personal anecdotes about health and lifestyle choices.
(11:04 - 12:58) Discussion about different approaches to career success: emotional vs. structured, including the use of personal OKRs.
(12:58 - 14:24) Strategies for self-assessment and setting personal goals, including daily scoring of activities related to objectives.
(14:24 - 16:03) The importance of aligning day-to-day actions with long-term goals and finding personal satisfaction in career progress.
(16:03 - 17:20) Reflections on personal definitions of success and the ongoing nature of achieving and redefining success.
(17:20 - 18:10) Discussion about the human nature of continually seeking success and fulfillment.
(18:10 - 19:26) The concept of defining success as a state rather than a place, and reflecting on the long-term impact of current actions.
(19:26 - 20:59) Real-world considerations in career planning, including practical needs and balancing them with intrinsic values.
(20:59 - 22:24) Personal stories about finding balance and the importance of self-reflection in defining career success.
(22:24 - 23:55) Discussion on the role of emotions in career decisions and personal growth.
(23:55 - 25:31) Contrast between career-driven and personal-driven approaches to defining success.
(25:31 - 27:11) Reflections on feeling unsuccessful at career peaks and the journey towards finding personal fulfillment.
(27:11 - 29:53) Insights into the common narrative of achieving success and then seeking deeper meaning in life.
(29:53 - 30:45) Final thoughts on the individual nature of defining success and the importance of inner reflection.
(30:45 - 32:30) The darker side of letting external motivators drive you.
(32:30 - END) Final thoughts and wrap-up
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