Goro Gupta, founder of Ethical Property Investments, transforms lives with disability-friendly housing, through ethical investment.
What does being successful mean? For some, it is the external trappings of success—money in the bank, a big house and flashy cars, power and privilege. For others, it’s a life without stress, a healthy body and a happy family. Success is what you want it to be.
Whatever your definition of success is, it’s easy to overlook the most critical investment of all: you. Not the surface-level self-improvement like devouring every book or podcast in sight (though they’ve their place), but doing the deep, often uncomfortable, inner work that lays a bedrock solid foundation for lasting success.
Tony Robbins says the path to success is to take massive, determined action. That sounds simple, but how do you work out what action and steps to take to achieve your definition of success?
Regardless of what business you’re in or the career path you’re on, striving for success starts with asking yourself a few straight-to-the-heart questions: what matters to you (money, freedom or accolades); what gets you excited about what you do; and where do you want life to take you?
To get to the heart of what matters to you on this success journey, investing in yourself—your health, well-being, mindset and existence—is critical to success that keeps on giving.
Develop yourself.
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In my opinion, the most successful people on the planet are the ones who are not afraid to ask hard questions of themselves. Personal development is a business success imperative. When the going gets rough and things aren’t going your way, how do you react? Do you crumble in a heap, wailing, “This isn’t fair,” or do you dig deep, take responsibility for your part and find ways to get around the obstacles in your way?
Personal development is the engine behind your professional success. The ability to understand yourself—strengths, weaknesses, blind spots—can be more transformative than technical knowledge or skill.
Growth starts when you stop avoiding the challenging and uncomfortable stuff. Like asking for honest feedback from people who see things you might miss—your team, customers or mentors. Growth happens when you take on roles or projects you wouldn’t usually touch to stretch you. No one likes to face uncomfortable truths; that takes humility. But there’s nothing wrong with admitting things don’t always go as planned. It’s the lessons you get from these moments that provide opportunities for growth and lessons learned. Use tools like 360-degree reviews or find a coach so you aren’t going through it alone. These tools show your blind spots. When you know what your gaps are and are willing to face them, you’re taking ownership of your personal development.
Hire a coach to be your blind spot mirror.
Another strong way to invest in yourself is coaching. Unlike mentors or advisers who give you solutions based on their experience, a good coach helps you arrive at your own answers. They shed light on your blind spots, those hidden behaviors and thought patterns that hold you back. They ask the hard questions that force you to reflect and find your truth. Coaching challenges you to push through your comfort zones and limiting beliefs. It’s easy to become so absorbed in the “doing” that you stop focusing on your own development. You can hire a coach to keep you accountable and help align your business vision with personal growth. Business success without personal fulfillment can often feel hollow.
Be wary of bright shiny object syndrome.
Entrepreneurs have minds that go a hundred miles an hour—always creating and looking for problems to solve. Bright shiny object syndrome can be a trap for entrepreneurs, where new ideas, trends and opportunities pop up constantly, pulling you away from your core business. Spreading yourself too thin and leaving projects unfinished can delay real success. Instead, harness this as a superpower by focusing on your goals and pursuing new ideas that fit with your long-term strategy.
Build your EQ—the unseen superpower.
How you manage your emotions, relate to others and handle pressure can make or break your business journey. Invest in developing your EQ so you’re not just reacting to challenges, but responding with empathy, self-awareness and emotional regulation. High emotional intelligence can create better leaders, make collaborations work without personalities or ego getting in the way, and build trust to create long-lasting connections and be open to innovation and creativity.
Building EQ starts with listening. Focus on what someone is saying without jumping in with solutions right away. Empathy grows when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, to see things from their perspective. Mindfulness practices, like pausing before reacting or taking a moment to reflect, can help you stay in control when emotions run high. Creating a space where people feel safe sharing their thoughts and emotions builds trust, and being able to pick up on nonverbal cues helps you manage tough conversations smoothly.
Know your purpose.
Purpose—a buzzword that gets bandied around like candy at a party. It’s the anchor for why you do what you do. When you align your true purpose—beyond just making money—there’s an energy that pulses out, attracting the right people into your space. To get to the heart of your purpose, you have to do deep self-exploration to understand what you want to achieve and why. Strip away the superficial motivations and dive into your core values and beliefs. When you build your business on that foundation, the work becomes more fulfilling and sustainable.
Protect your most valuable asset.
One of the most overlooked aspects of personal investment is self-care. We’re all proudly busy. Many wear “I’m busy” as a badge of honor, ignoring self-care in pursuit of success. Success may often come at the expense of physical and mental health, as entrepreneurs push through exhaustion in the name of the grind. Burnout isn’t a mark of success—it’s a failure to invest in yourself.
Start by establishing boundaries, taking time to rest and prioritizing your well-being. Self-care isn’t an indulgence, it’s a necessity. A well-rested, clear-minded leader makes better decisions and has the stamina to pursue long-term success without burning out.
Business success begins with you. You can pour money into the best strategies, hire the best people and market like a genius, but if you haven’t invested in your own growth, your potential will always be capped. True success is an inside job.
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