The Million Dollar Mindset Comes At A Cost

I recently crossed $1M in pipeline created at my day job. I did this in the last 6 months, and it’s something I’m super proud of- it’s quite literally, something I’ve never done before.

Next year, I aim to close a million in deals for my business. Another thing I’ve never ever done. But we’ll see how we get there.

I’ve done many things this year professionally and personally that I’m super proud of- but today I wanted to talk about the mindset behind this- and how it doesn’t come free.

Thing is- I'm more intense than the average person.

As a younger man, I wore this as a badge of honor. Now, I realise the flip side:

1. Prioritising work over relationships

2. Always being in problem solving mode

3. Judgement towards others that seem to take longer to figure their problems out

4. Not being overly process focused (you need someone to fix things when you move fast and break them)

Realising the detrimental effects of me being me, I now see how foolish I was. That one quality that I've admired and cultivated in myself- it doesn't come without a cost.

Now, I realise this applies to every human quality. For every good quality in a person, there exists a shadow side. Maybe you might have noticed the following in your friends or family:

1. The cheerful one, the person who is the 'life of the party' - has a deep desire for validation and can't imagine spending a weekend in their own company.

2. The quiet one who seems very comfortable in their own company. People gravitate towards them for this reason...but actually the person doesn't initiate social contact because they're actually worried about what others think of them / have a touch of social anxiety.

3. The disciplined, regimented person you find admirable....until you see they're also very obstinate in other areas and don't like their beliefs to be challenged.

4. The creative, highly sensitive person with a rich, inner life who sometimes struggles with anxiety and depressive thoughts.

Seeing the flip side of every quality allows you to realise- none of this makes you special. You're just one small part of a massive sea of psychological permutations and combinations- affected by nature and nurture.

Every time I feel pride catching me up, I remind myself of this concept and it helps shift the perspective.

Guess the question is- it’s okay to shoot for the moon- but if you travel there alone, was it all worth it?