Most people take the idea of success, of arriving “there,” as something that means something really important about them.
That they have “made it.” That they are finally “somebody.”

Let us ponder the concept of success. Success is something we are taught to strive for. But what does success really mean? It can become the focus of an individual’s career, identity, and even self-worth. However, despite its perceived importance, success itself is completely imaginary. It is a concept that is unique to each person and has no objective, external reality. Therefore, the very ideas about success can get in the way of us achieving it.

There are three main things that most people think look real about success: the solidity of success, the importance of what success means, and the significance of not having success. Yet when we look at them closely, we can see very quickly that they are one hundred percent made up.

First, people treat success as real and solid, when it is only made of thought. There is nothing that you can point at in the outside world and get uniform agreement that it is success. Therefore, success is a subjective experience that is unique to each person.

The second thing is, people believe that success means something important. However, this is also something that is made up. Success is not imbued with the mystical ability to make us feel whole and happy with ourselves. The symbol of success only feels good for a little bit and then loses its significance.

Finally, the third thing that people think looks real about success is the significance of not having it. The idea is that if we do not get success, it means something, too. This is also something that is made up. Failure is not a tangible thing but rather just a story that we tell ourselves.

What all of these point to is that success is but a subjective experience that is unique to each individual. Its reality exists solely within our own minds. Thus, we find that the very idea of success can often hinder our pursuit of it, as we cling too tightly to a figment of our own creation.

The joy is only in the doing, in the creating because that’s the only place it can be. The joy is in whatever is emerging for you, right now. Now is the only thing you’re not making up. Therefore, the easiest way to achieve success is to let go of the idea that success has any tangible, external reality. Instead, focus on the present moment and the joy that comes from creating and doing. This is the ultimate success.

Many of the founders that I work with struggle with boundaries, with self-care, with delegation.

And I have to explain to them why something that looks selfish can actually be the best thing they can possibly do for themselves, their families, and their business.

Take one healthy habit as an example—

When you get enough sleep, you make better decisions.

When you get enough sleep, you are more likely to exercise.

When you get enough sleep, you don’t crave bad food.

When you get enough sleep, you are nicer.

When you get enough sleep, you live longer.

Taking care of yourself means you have more to give—more creativity, more presence, even more love. And it also means you are more able to receive.

You started this business because there was something about it you loved.

Does it look more like hate, or fear, or exasperation some days?

Time to look at your own habits and see how they might be contributing. How simply getting out of overwhelm can make everyone, and everything, look more like it did when you started this.

Creating and holding those boundaries is good for everyone.

Will you do more of the same, or try something new?

Will you strive to get better, or accept the status quo?

Will you try to stay comfortable, or try to get uncomfortable?

Will you trust that the universe has you, or fear that it does not?

Will you live, or will you, day by day, slowing but surely, die?

If 𝘆𝗼𝘂 don’t know which choice you are making, I’m afraid 𝗜 do.

“I would love to explore coaching with you, but I’m too busy right now.”

That busyness, and how it is getting in your way, is exactly where we would start.

“I would love to explore coaching right now, but there are some big things I need to get through.”

The big things will be a lot easier with a partner to help you see those things differently.

“I would love to explore coaching right now, but I need to complete this raise first.”

Raising money with complete confidence of your worth is a lot easier (and makes you less likely to make a deal you regret).

The obstacle is always the path.

Always.

And if you really want help, there is never a better time to get it than now.