Rethinking Success: Here's How You Know That It’s Time To Realign

At some point in life, we all find ourselves chasing things that once excited us, only to realize that they no longer do. The title, the salary, the relationship, the achievements, they still look good on paper, but they stop feeling right.

I know that feeling well. For years, I was leading a global business, managing multi-million-dollar markets and travelling constantly. From the outside, it looked like I’d made it. I was married, successful, and ticking every box that should have added up to happiness. But deep down, I knew something was off. I was living a life that made sense to everyone but me.

Eventually, I did what most people might call reckless: I left my seven-year marriage and quit my job, both in the same week, with no plan. It was terrifying. But it also forced me to start over and figure out what I actually wanted. That experience taught me a lot about what “alignment” actually means, and how to recognize when you’ve lost it.

Here’s what I’ve learned, and what I now see many grappling with too:

1. Listen When Your Wins Stop Feeling Like Wins

When success stops feeling satisfying, it’s often a huge indicator of misalignment. I remember closing some of the biggest deals of my career and feeling nothing. That was my wake-up call. If you’re chasing goals purely out of habit, it might be time to ask if they still matter, or if you’re just afraid to change direction.

2. Get Clear On What Alignment Looks Like Now

Our definitions of success evolve, but we rarely stop to update them. For years, I equated growth with constant achievement. When I finally stepped away, I realized growth could also mean slowing down, or pursuing work that feels purposeful. Take the time to define what right feels like for you now, not five years ago. You may find that what once motivated you no longer fits who you’ve become.

3. Don’t Wait For A Breakdown To Make A Change

You don’t need to wait for things to fall apart before you move. Change doesn’t always come with a big moment. Sometimes, it’s a slow realixation that something just doesn’t fit anymore. I realized that I didn’t need to have it all figured out before taking a step. You don’t need a perfect plan either—just a bit of courage, and a willingness to trust your instincts.

4. Do It Even If You Feel Scared

We love the idea of reinvention, but the truth is, it can get pretty uncomfortable. Growth will stretch you, test you, and make you question yourself over and over, but that discomfort usually means you’re on the right track. In my case, over time, I built the Female Founders Network to create the kind of community I wish I’d had, one that supports women as they grow through periods of uncertainty.

Change doesn’t always happen in dramatic moments; sometimes, it’s just a gradual recognition that the version of success you’ve been chasing no longer fits. And that’s okay. You don’t have to burn everything down or have a flawless plan before you move. You just need to pay attention when something starts to feel off, and trust yourself enough to respond to it.

The truth is that everyone outgrows parts of their life, careers, goals, even identities that once made perfect sense. What matters is whether you keep forcing them to fit—or whether you make space for what’s next.

About The Author

Nicki Bedford is a serial entrepreneur and executive business leader with a sharp instinct for building ventures that blend innovation, impact, and scale. With a background that includes leading BuzzFeed’s Asia Pacific growth and founding multiple businesses across tech and media, she is the founder of Female Founders Network, Seizen, and Lenzz, all designed to empower bold ideas and future-forward leadership.