Have you ever worked tirelessly toward a goal, believing that once you achieve it, everything will fall into place? That once you reach that pinnacle moment in your career, you’ll feel fulfilled, confident, and finally—enough?
We want to share a story that resonates deeply with so many of us. It’s about chasing success, only to realize that success—at least how we often define it—doesn’t always bring the happiness we expect.
The Climb to the Top
Eighteen years ago, we stepped into an industry where everything was scoreboard-driven. Maybe you work in sales, leadership, or any career where rank, title, and promotions determine your worth. That’s the world we lived in.
The mindset was clear: Once you reach this level, you’ll have arrived. Everyone talked about it. Everyone believed it. And so, naturally, we believed it too.
We were always goal-oriented, striving for the next achievement. High school, college, and then our professional careers—it was all about moving up. And we did. We worked relentlessly, climbing the ladder, always just within reach of the next big milestone.
Then, after nearly 12 years, we finally got there. We reached the pinnacle that our industry promised would bring ultimate success.
The Rug Pull Moment
We remember the celebration. Our families were proud. Our loved ones were relieved, hoping that now we could finally relax. We had it all—the promotions, the perks, the recognition. Everything we had spent years working toward was finally ours.
And then the rug was pulled out from under us.
We looked around and thought, Is this it?
The titles, the bonuses, the prestige—it was all there, but the feeling we had been chasing for so long was missing. We didn’t feel any more confident. We didn’t feel fulfilled. And we certainly didn’t feel like we had “arrived.” Instead, we felt empty.
We thought achieving this goal would bring happiness. We thought it would make us feel successful. But standing there, having reached what we thought was the top, we realized we had tied our entire identity to a title.
When Success Feels Hollow
Despite the recognition, the opportunities to speak on stages, and the celebrations from peers, something felt off. That’s when we began working with Nada Lena Nasserdeen, and she helped us see what we couldn’t see before: we were defining ourselves by our titles.
This is what we call micro-confidences—placing our self-worth in external achievements rather than internal fulfillment. And we weren’t alone in this.
So many people had their identities shaken during career transitions, job losses, or life changes. Titles shifted. Success was redefined. And like us, many realized that chasing status wasn’t what actually made them happy.
Redefining Success
The reality is that success isn’t about a title. It’s not about reaching some arbitrary milestone set by society or our industry. It’s about who we are beyond the title—our skills, our values, our purpose. These are the things that truly define us.
For years, we believed that once we “arrived,” we would finally feel good enough. But here’s the truth: We are already enough. You are already enough.
If you’ve ever felt like your achievements didn’t bring the joy you expected, you’re not alone. And if you’re still chasing that next big goal, thinking that’s when you’ll feel fulfilled, we encourage you to take a step back and ask yourself: What am I really chasing?
Because success isn’t about reaching the top. It’s about making sure the climb is actually worth it.
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