Hey Reader,
Remember when someone last asked you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe you were 8, dreaming of outer space, stethoscopes, or center stage. Somewhere along the way, we replaced those dreams with daily task lists which include urgent meetings, never-ending emails, and checking off the boxes that others set for us.
About five years ago, I had a big dream: to start my own coaching and consulting business. I didn’t know exactly how to get there, but I knew I needed more than just a to-do list.
I wanted to build something meaningful. I just didn’t yet have the title, the credentials, or even the clarity. So I started outlining the skills, experiences, and milestones I’d need...a roadmap, not for the week ahead, but for the life ahead.
I wrote it all down:
- Lead a talent management team at a senior level
- Obtain my ICF coaching certification
- Gain experience at the director level, leading organizational strategy
- Build a personal brand and a small client base on the side
Some of these things happened by chance. But others, the more intentional ones, happened faster and more smoothly because I had a plan.
So why is this important for you?
It’s time to reintroduce a bold question into your professional life: What does success really look like for you in 1, 3, or 5 years? Not just for your role. For your life.
Welcome to the idea of a Success List.
Unlike your to-do list — which lives in the now — a success list is a curated, strategic roadmap of where you're going, why you want to go there, and the real steps you need to take to get there.
So what exactly goes into a Success List?
Here’s how Doris and I break it down in our podcast Leaderish: Leaderish Lessons Straight Up.
🎯 1. Define Your Big Goal
Whether it’s launching your own business, becoming a director, or finally finishing that degree, define what success looks like for you. Be honest. Be bold. And yes, dream a little.
🧩 2. Identify 3–5 Major Milestones
Break your vision into big, chunky objectives. Think of them like building blocks. What needs to be true for you to reach that big goal?
🗓 3. Add Timeframes
Attach realistic dates to your goal and each milestone. Specificity is key: “Get my certification by June 2025” beats “Work on certification.”
🗂 4. Break it Down Monthly or Weekly
Think in smaller steps. If your goal requires 80 hours of work over a year, that’s just 1.5 hours per week. Suddenly, it’s less overwhelming and a lot more doable.
🙋♀️ 5. Talk to People Who’ve Done It
Don’t build your success plan in a vacuum. Ask leaders how they got there. Request feedback. Find mentors. Hire a coach. The path forward often begins by simply asking a few good questions.
📣 6. Share It
The fastest way to make your goals real? Tell someone. An accountability partner, whether it’s a coach, a colleague, or a close friend, will help you stay on track and offer support when you’re tempted to deprioritize yourself.
And here's the twist…
Sometimes your goal is your goal but your life isn't always ready for it. Maybe your current season involves caregiving, parenting, healing, or rest. And that’s okay. A Success List doesn’t have to be about urgency. It’s about clarity. And that clarity helps you use the time, energy, and motivation you do have in the right places.
One of my favorite quotes is, “You are exactly where you need to be.”
But that doesn’t mean you have to stay there forever.
And if you need a little more inspiration, check out the podcast episodes that started this conversation:
Let’s stop getting lost in the busyness.
Let’s start getting intentional about success.
Latest Podcast Episode
Check out the latest episode from the Leaderish Podcast! We share leadership lessons, straight up! You'll find great content to help you grow in your career.
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A Little Bit About Regina
I'm Regina Taute (say Howdy Taute and you've pronounced it right) a seasoned talent leader with experience in leadership and organizational development. I started Collective Growth Coaching and Consulting to partner with organizations to develop wildly practical and effective talent strategies. As a credentialed coach and certified in MBTI and Hogan assessments, my passion lies in unlocking potential and driving sustainable growth by helping individuals and teams thrive in today’s evolving business world.
It would be my honor to join you for a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to help solve a current challenge with wildly practical solutions or to meet with you one-on-one to chat and get to know you.
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