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What happens when everything that used to drive your success disappears?

I recently had a conversation with a client struggling with a lack of motivation. His story was remarkable—he had an exceptional career, climbing the ranks, leading teams through adversity, and even creating groundbreaking tools to develop elite employees.

Yet now, he struggles to find the same drive to pursue his personal goals.

When I asked why he had been so successful in his career but now finds it hard to push forward, the answer was immediate:

In the past, he had deadlines, quotas, and a boss providing clear direction. I asked him “what else” and the answer was even more impactful—people depended on him.

Today, his goals are centered around his own aspirations, and while important and aligned with his values, the external motivators are gone: no quotas, no deadlines, no team relying on his leadership. It’s just him.

And in many ways, he feels the weight of disappointing himself, as if he were letting someone else down.

Together, we explored how he could reignite that inner drive by revisiting the motivations that fueled his past success. His breakthrough came when he considered a self-imposed deadline—and defined a SMART goal.

By aligning his actions with intentionality, he began to see his goals in a new light, with renewed optimism.

This conversation resonated deeply with me. It’s a reminder that transitions often challenge us to adapt old strategies to new environments. When external motivators fade, we must find ways to cultivate internal ones.

So, here’s my question to you: When you feel stuck, how do you leverage the lessons and strengths from your past to thrive in a new chapter of your life?