Entrepreneurs—Stop Moving the Target of Success
Donna Desrosiers
Executive Coach | Real-World Experience Driving Leadership Growth | No Contracts, Just Results
Are You Ever Really “There”?
How many times have you told yourself, “Once I reach this level, then I’ll slow down and enjoy life”? Yet when you get there, the target moves again.
It’s an endless cycle—bigger goals, more pressure, another reason to keep pushing.
For many entrepreneurs, success has become a moving target. We work tirelessly, believing that once we achieve a certain level of financial security, recognition, or status, fulfillment will follow. But for so many, that moment never truly arrives.
I’ve seen it over and over: entrepreneurs sitting on a sizeable amount of money yet still feeling unfulfilled. The truth is, while money is a factor, real success isn’t just about numbers. It’s about relationships, presence and building a life you don’t want to escape from.
And here’s the reality—no one can predict the future. We make plans, we chase goals, but life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect.
The most meaningful success is one where you can look back and know you truly lived.
Big Goals Aren’t the Problem—But What About the Journey?
Let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with having big, audacious goals. In fact, it’s part of what makes entrepreneurs who we are.
Ambition, drive and pushing limits are in our DNA. That’s not the issue.
The real question is—are you sacrificing your happiness, relationships and well-being along the way?
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we’ll be happy “once we get there,” but what if “there” keeps shifting? The key isn’t to stop striving—it’s to find balance and fulfillment along the way.
Chasing “Someday” vs. Living Now
In the early days of my career, my partner and I were doing what so many young professionals do—building, striving, expanding. We worked hard and looked forward to vacations, those two weeks a year when we could step away, breathe and truly enjoy life.
One day, it hit me: why was I waiting for a vacation to feel this way?
We made a decision. Instead of spending our lives rushing toward the next break, we designed our life around the feeling we loved most—peace, space and balance. We moved out of the bustling city and created a lifestyle where we could have that sense of ease every day while still building our careers.
The best part? We didn’t have to wait for “someday” to live the life we wanted.
The Money & Status Trap—What’s Success Without Meaning?
Of course, money matters. It creates options, provides security and allows freedom. But money alone doesn’t bring fulfillment.
How many entrepreneurs finally reach financial success only to find themselves working harder than ever, disconnected from their families, or feeling like they’re still behind?
If success is costing you the things that matter most, is it really the success you envisioned?
And if something unexpected happens—health issues, personal loss, a major shift—would you look back and feel you spent your time on what truly mattered?
The more I’ve worked with leaders, the clearer it becomes: the happiest, most fulfilled people aren’t the ones with the biggest bank accounts. They’re the ones who have deep relationships, a sense of purpose and the ability to be present in their own lives.
Redefining Success—Moment by Moment
The real shift happens when we stop seeing success as a future destination and start building it moment by moment.
Ambition is great. Vision is powerful. But they shouldn’t come at the expense of the things that truly make life meaningful.
Dare to dream. And more importantly, dare to act on it.
A Thought to Leave You With
If financial success alone isn’t the answer, what would make you feel truly fulfilled today?
Because at the end of the day, none of us know what the future holds.
So why wait?
Stop waiting for “someday.” Build a life so fulfilling you don’t need an escape.
Donna Desrosiers - March 2, 2025