Just My Type #12: Defining Success Based on your Sun Sign

Just My Type explores the ways our personality, fears and motivations impact our writing and, using personality types, provides suggestions for tailoring your writing practice to who you are as a unique, creative human.

We each have an idea of what success looks and feels like to us. Our zodiac sign, also known as our sun sign, can offer clues about what makes us feel successful, but it can also help us identify how we might be limiting ourselves to a narrow definition of success. As writers, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others; we can struggle with feeling inadequate, always looking toward the next goal post–a first draft, a final draft, getting published–without taking time to celebrate or reflect on the journey. While each sign may view success differently, we can all expand our idea of success and feel more successful as a writer right now.

Aries

 Aries thrives on achievement and finds success in reaching ambitious goals. This can manifest as comparison and competition, but while competition is natural for Aries, it can also lead to feelings of failure or falling behind. Rather than setting goals based on competition with others, try competing with yourself and setting goals based on improving your own writing practice, taking creative risks and pushing your writing to the next level.

Taurus

 Taurus often finds success in comfort and stability, but unfortunately, achieving financial stability through writing can be challenging in a society that doesn’t always value the arts as highly as other professions. You might struggle to feel successful if you can’t support yourself with your writing alone. Rather than focusing on the financial output of your writing, try focusing your idea of success on your creative output instead.

Gemini

 Geminis are social and often find success in validation from others. They may have doubts when they don’t receive validation and can struggle to finish projects that don't come easy to them. Rather than finding success in other people’s opinions, try embracing a mindset of continuous learning. Try new things and work through the discomfort of learning something new. Find success in your own growth as a writer, rather than in external validation. 

Cancer

 Cancers feel successful when their work has a higher purpose and makes an impact on the world. Because they are so emotionally connected to their work, they can also be sensitive to criticism. Rather than trying to write something important or impactful, simply work on writing the best, most authentic thing you can. Let your writing be important to you first and find success in that, rather than waiting on others to deem it important.

Leo

 Leos are passionate and idealistic about their work, and they thrive on recognition and praise, but can struggle with feelings of failure when they don’t receive the praise they’d hoped for on something they worked so hard to perfect. Remember that writing is an inherently messy process that often involves rejection. Focus on finding success in the passion and intensity you put into your writing, rather than on potential recognition from others.

Virgo

 Virgos often place high standards on themselves and may feel pressure to improve themselves and seek perfection in everything they do. As a writer, try to focus less on getting to the perfect end result, because there will probably always be something else you can fix or change. Instead, find success in growing with each project. Reflect on your continual progress and how far you have come, rather than how far you feel you still have to go.

Libra

 Libras value social connection and want others to think well of them, finding success in reassurance and positive reinforcement. Rather than focusing on positive feedback from others about your writing, try to find that same sense of success in making meaningful connections with other writers, finding a writing community and sharing your writing with the world.

Scorpio

 Scorpios are passionate and project confidence, but they can also be perfectionists who struggle with self-doubt. They may feel impatient with themselves when they don’t live up to their own expectations. Rather than focusing on accomplishments and meeting expectations, find a feeling of success in being vulnerable in your writing and embracing your inner self.

Sagittarius

 Saggitarians find success in adventure, new experiences, having fun and taking risks, but can struggle with procrastination when their work isn’t feeling exciting and new anymore. Writing can be a slog, but instead of moving on from a project, try finding success in taking risks with your writing, having fun with it, and even setting yourself a deadline. Use that challenge and rush of adrenaline to get yourself over the finish line.

Capricorn

 Capricorns are known for their determination and hard work, but can be overly focused on status and financial success. They may be so focused on the idea of professional success that it stifles them creatively. Instead of writing with the goal of publication, reviews or awards, try to find joy in the writing itself and find success in writing for yourself first and foremost rather than external validation.

Aquarius

 Aquarians are often idealistic and define success through the lens of making the world a better place. They are visionaries who are great at working outside the box, but Aquarius writers may be too focused on the external impact of their writing on the world. Instead, try to focus more on finding fulfillment in the smaller impacts of your writing, whether that’s on yourself, a smaller community or even one single reader.

Pisces

 Pisces is an imaginative, intuitive sign. They are optimistic and known for being dreamers. While they aren’t generally motivated by money or personal gain, they can have a difficult time seeing the big picture and keeping things in perspective. While it’s admirable to find success in creating art for art’s sake, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Remember that you don’t need to be a starving artist to create authentic work; artists deserve to be paid for their work too.