Rethinking Success: Is Your Version of Winning Still Serving You?

For the devoted dog guardians doing their best—and the canine pros building something meaningful—when was the last time you asked yourself if your version of success still fits?

We start with big dreams. Clear goals. A vision of the life we want.

But as time passes, priorities shift. And sometimes, without realizing it, we keep chasing an outdated version of “success.”

So here’s the real question:

Are you still climbing the ladder that leads where you actually want to go?

Whether you’re diving deep into holistic nutrition to help your dog thrive, or hustling to build a purpose-driven business in the dog world—it’s worth pausing to ask:

Are my actions aligned with the life I want now?

You read the books.

You follow the experts.

You fine-tune the supplements.

You show up, enroll, commit, and keep pushing.

Always trying to get it right.

But beneath it all, there’s a quieter question waiting for your attention:

What does success mean to you—right now?

Not what it meant 10 years ago—or even 3 years ago.

Not what someone on Facebook says it should be.

Not what your family or friends think it should be.

Not what you thought you’d need to prove to be a “good” dog mom or a “real” professional.

But to you, now. In your current life. With your current capacity. With your current wants and needs.

My idea of success has changed many times throughout my life. Early on, when we first had our boys, success looked like giving them a big, beautiful house in the perfect neighborhood. And we did it. We worked damn hard for it.

But now? My idea of success is entirely different. It’s a small house on a big property, with no neighbors in sight. Space. Quiet. Freedom.

The same has been true in my career. My goals and ideas of success have morphed over the years, leading me down beautiful paths and up amazing mountains. Each chapter shaped me, but each new season required me to redefine what success actually meant—and to grow into the person I needed to be in order to reach success in those new phases.

And I’ve learned that we can have many dreams, goals, and ambitions throughout our journey. We can become more than one version of ourselves.

The problem comes when we get stuck. When we grind away every day without coming up for air, until we are exhausted and depleted, and we realize what we’ve achieved isn’t actually what we truly want for ourselves.

If you’re bending over backward trying to make all of the right decisions for your dog—or live up to what a dog guardian should be—take a breath.

Success doesn’t have to look like other people’s versions.

Success can be:

• Learning to advocate for your dog’s health
  
• Choosing nutrition that works with your lifestyle and finances
  
• Prioritizing connection over perfection
  
• Moving through setbacks with more compassion and less panic

You don’t have to do this perfectly. You just have to do it with love, curiosity, and commitment. That’s enough.

If you’re building a business around your passion, chances are your standards are sky-high, your timeline is not realistic, and your fuel is running low.

But success in this space doesn’t have to mean non-stop client work, daily content creation, or saying yes to everything.

Real success might look like:

• Serving fewer clients more deeply
  
• Creating resources that feel aligned—not just “marketable”
  
• Choosing business models that work for your life, not someone else’s
  
• Protecting your peace as fiercely as you protect your purpose

Your purpose is powerful, but so is your peace.

Here are some reflection questions for wherever you are on the journey:

• Have I paused recently to define what success means to me right now?
  
• Am I chasing a version of success that no longer suits my reality, goals, or energy?
  
• What am I doing because it truly matters—and what am I doing out of fear, guilt, or comparison?
  
• If I let go of “perfect,” what would I gain?
  
• What things should I take off my plate that are no longer aligned with my goals?

You’re allowed to evolve your vision.
You’re allowed to want something different now.
You’re allowed to succeed in a way that feels good—even if it looks different than what you originally imagined.

Whether you’re raising a complex dog or building a heart-centered career around helping them, it’s easy to get lost in doing more.

But what if success isn’t more?
What if it’s just… truer? Clearer? More defined?

Less pressure. More presence.
Less perfection. More alignment.

Take a moment today to check in with the version of success you’re chasing.

Make sure it still belongs to you.

Sending love & support always.

Dr. Loudon

If you would like ongoing support from a community of kick-ass women who show up for each other and their dogs, check out our dog mom society. We’d love to invite you into our sacred circle.

The Dog Mom Society

In our community, you’ll gain clarity on all things canine nutrition and holistic wellness.

Together, we’ll navigate this journey to enhance your dog’s health, happiness, and well-being.

And you’ll gain the confidence that you’re doing right by your dog every step of the way!