Redefining Success: How Alignment Leads to Fulfillment
The Hidden Cost of Hustle
Exhausted, overworked, and with no time for herself—Vanessa thought this was just the price of success. She had spent years proving herself, always the first one in and the last to leave. On paper, she had it all: the salary, the title, the lifestyle.
So why did she feel so empty?
When Vanessa came to me for life coaching, she wasn’t sure if it would help. A friend, who had been working with me for a year, had urged her to try. "I mean, could things really get any worse?" she had joked. And that’s how she ended up on our first call—half skeptical, half desperate for something, anything, to change.
(Vanessa’s name has been changed, but her story is very real.)
The Signs You’re Out of Alignment
Before coaching, Vanessa’s mornings started with checking emails at 5 a.m.—before even getting out of bed. Work came first, even before the bathroom. She was a legend in the office but had no life outside of it. Her evenings? Netflix and a glass (or three) of wine, just to numb out.
This wasn’t living. It was survival. And deep down, she knew she deserved more.
Then came the moment that changed everything. After declining yet another invitation from a friend, she received a simple text:
"Haven’t seen you for months. When’s the last time you did anything but work?"
She laughed it off, but the question haunted her. She couldn’t remember.
Maybe that’s where you are right now.
You’ve been pushing forward, doing everything you’re “supposed” to do. But when’s the last time you felt truly alive? If you aren’t sure, keep reading.
What Is Alignment in Life Coaching?
Through life coaching, Vanessa realized her exhaustion wasn’t just about overwork—it was about misalignment. She had been chasing a version of success that no longer fit who she was.
Alignment isn’t about giving up ambition. It’s about making sure your ambition is directed toward what lights you up.
How Do You Know If You’re Out of Alignment?
Success without alignment is just burnout in disguise. Hustling for achievements that don’t fulfill you will always leave you feeling empty.
Your body knows before you do. That pit in your stomach, the tightness in your chest, the constant exhaustion? Those are signs you’re misaligned.
Saying yes to everything means saying no to yourself. If your calendar is full of obligations but empty of joy, something has to change.
At first, Vanessa resisted change. What if setting boundaries made her look uncommitted? What if saying no cost her opportunities?
She feared slowing down meant falling behind. But the opposite was true. Step by step, as she prioritized alignment, she became more successful—and more fulfilled.
How Vanessa Reclaimed Her Life Through Alignment
Vanessa didn’t overhaul her life overnight. Instead, she made small, intentional shifts:
She set boundaries at work. No more checking emails between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
She reconnected with joy. She rediscovered her love for hiking and adult colouring books.
She listened to her intuition. Before saying yes to anything, she asked: Does this bring me closer to the life I want?
She made space for real rest. Instead of numbing out with Netflix and wine, she prioritized sleep and nutritious meals.
Little by little, Vanessa started to feel like herself again. She woke up energized, not anxious. She worked fewer hours and got more done. She laughed more. Her life felt aligned.
Vanessa is not alone. So many of my life coaching clients come to me because they feel burnt out, stuck on autopilot, wondering where they went wrong.
The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
How to Step Into Alignment
Here’s the truth: Small, intentional shifts can bring you back to yourself. Here are a few ways to start.
1. Ask Yourself: Where Are You Out of Alignment?
Am I living in alignment with what actually matters to me?
Where in my life do I feel drained, and where do I feel energized?
If nothing changed in the next five years, would I be happy?
✨ Try this: Journal your honest answers. Don’t filter. Just write.
2. Listen to Your Body
The gut clench of regret when you say yes to something you don’t want to do.
The anxiety spike when your phone dings.
The exhaustion that doesn’t go away, even after a full night’s sleep.
✨ Try this: Next time you’re faced with a decision, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask: Does this feel heavy or light? Expansive or constrictive?
3. Define Your Vision: What Are You Working Toward?
How do I want to feel when I wake up in the morning?
How do I want to spend my time?
What values do I want to embody?
✨ Try this: Write a single sentence that captures your vision. Let this be your North Star—your version of success.
4. Start Saying No (Without Guilt)
Start small and work up to bigger "no’s."
Don’t over-explain—"No" is a complete sentence.
Ask yourself: If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?
✨ Try this: Before agreeing to anything big, wait 24 hours before responding.
5. Make Space for Delight
Science shows that joy and gratitude improve overall well-being.
You can find delight in tiny moments: sitting in the sun, your favourite song, a perfect cup of tea.
Your brain focuses on what you feed it—so feed it delight.
✨ Try this: Write down three things that delight you, then schedule them into your week. Non-negotiable.
The Truth About Alignment
Alignment isn’t about quitting your job, moving to Bali, or making some massive life overhaul.
It’s about making conscious, intentional choices every day that bring you closer to the life you actually want.
Stop putting yourself at the bottom of your to-do list. Get clear on your desires and put them at the top.
Vanessa’s story isn’t unique. It’s the story of so many women—giving their energy to everything and everyone but themselves. But when she chose alignment, everything changed.
What’s One Small Shift You Can Make Today?
When you choose alignment, everything else falls into place.
Emma Hull is Canada’s Top Confidence Coach, an internationally recognized life coach, speaker and educator.
Her approach is simple, she teaches you to master your mindset so you can move forward with confidence. She is the founder of Life Untethered Coaching based in Kamloops BC and serving clients worldwide.
Book your free strategy session to begin your transformation.