Make sure you know what you're chasing.

We live in a world that hands us a map pretty early.

Do well in school, climb the ladder, chase the title, hit the number, and eventually you’ll arrive somewhere that feels like success.

But, what if that map was never yours to begin with?

Jason and I just sat down with Ned Arick, a guy who did all the things. He followed the map. He built the business. Got the title. Made the money. Poured gasoline on the hustle. And still found himself quietly wondering, is this it?

Turns out, no paycheck, title, or LinkedIn post will make you whole if you don’t already know what actually brings you joy.

It wasn’t that Ned hit the top and fell apart.

He realized the top wasn’t what he thought it would be.

But here’s the good news, the ladder isn’t the only way up.

It’s just one story. And sometimes it’s not even the best one.

Real success happens when you stop trying to be someone and start figuring out what actually makes you feel alive.

Ned’s story wasn’t about giving up. It was about waking up.

Especially if you are in partnerships, sales, marketing, or leadership, we love to measure, to chase, to build. We’re great at hitting numbers. Less great at asking ourselves if those numbers are even ours to chase.

So, maybe today’s question is simpler than you think:

• What does success look like to you? Are you chasing your definition, or someone else’s?

• Do you know what brings you joy, fulfillment, and peace outside of impressions, title, or a number?

• If the thing you are working for showed up tomorrow, would it actually make you feel whole?

Because after all, that feeling, that's all we’re chasing. “When X happens, I’ll feel Y.” We’ve seen the movie and know that’s not true. So what’s stopping you from feeling that now?

The best part? You get to decide.

That’s the beauty in Ned’s story. The realization that you are not stuck on the ladder. There are a thousand ways to build a career and life you are proud of. You just have to be brave enough to ask the hard questions.

We talk about all of it on the pod. The good, the hard, the freeing. Find it on Spotify or Apple. 

But even if you don’t,  sit with this for a second. The ladder isn’t everyone’s definition of success and that’s pretty cool.

See you on the climb,
Sam