You were probably better before you reached success.😮
This is a painful observation I’ve held for a couple decades now. Several of you also have witnessed it or lived it, but nobody wants to admit it.
Yes, a better version of you existed before you achieved financial comfort.
Remember when you were younger how you were fighting to make a name and build a reputation for yourself? You put in tremendous hours of labor, marked with tears, sweat, and sometimes even blood.
You were dedicated to seeking new skills and consistently studied new knowledge. You couldn’t wait to try out new things, testing your new skills, and learning from certain failure.
Remember taking bigger risks? Whether this was at your job or startup, you clearly understood the path to climb that corporate ladder on the organization chart was to establish decisiveness, leadership, and responsibility. You were willing to bet your job on some big moves to hit bigger rewards for the company.
You were hungry back then. You played a more aggressive game. You invested into yourself to create separation from the pack.
So, what happened to that version of you?
Back when I was a hiring manager in corporate, I saw this cycle repeat itself over and over with people that I’d hire. I used to think it was random, but after a decade of seeing it, I knew it was the norm.
I’d hire a young engineer, someone who aced the interview and had the right attitude and showed great potential. They were a cultural fit for the organization.
They’d come in and work hard. They absorbed knowledge and skills like a dry sponge. They were eager, determined, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and the company to win. They dressed well and took care of themselves. They’d get promoted from those entry level roles. So far, so good.
Around the six-figure income mark, things changed drastically. Most of these people were solid employees, but they lost their drive and hunger for more. They stopped taking risks and betting their name on results they knew they could achieve, but didn’t.
They upgraded their lifestyles. New home, new car, fun hobbies for the weekend. I’m big on rewarding yourself, but have never wanted to settle. I see these rewards as milestones on the journey up the mountain, not stopping points or end goals.
They let their physical health fade. They no longer cared about how they dressed or their own appearance. They no longer invested in new skills or knowledge. They just blended in with the rest of the pack. Nobody wanted to stand out. Life became status quo and on cruise control.
Has your success damaged you? Do you still have that drive? Do you still take care of yourself? Do you still learn new skills and knowledge?
Do you still bet on yourself? Do you still believe in your potential?
What does your momentum say? What does your mirror say?
I challenge you to keep climbing in all areas of life. This is what it means to become “365 Driven.”
-Tony