Why You Still Don’t Feel Successful
How to Start Seeing Clearly Again
Reimagine your networking approach with the Connectional Coffee method! ☕ Download my FREE guide to building genuine, career-boosting relationships over relaxed coffee chats. Discover new opportunities and elevate your professional life with authentic connections and valuable insights. Click here to start your journey to career growth today!
I'm curious, give me the strategy!At every corporate level, I thought more effort would eventually earn me that elusive sense of success. Turns out, I’m really good at effort. Not so good at feeling successful.
I’ve noticed that a lot of us are so used to striving, we stop questioning why we’re striving in the first place. The goals change, the titles change, the stakes get higher—but the underlying pattern stays the same: keep pushing, keep producing, keep proving.
And we get so good at “keeping it all together”, we forget how to be honest with ourselves.
I see it in my clients all the time: leaders taking on more and more—new projects, expanded roles, higher expectations. The scope keeps widening, and so does the pressure. And still, they wonder why they don’t feel accomplished.
My experience suggests that, as human beings, we have a huge capacity for pulling the wool over our own eyes.
We say we’re fine. We say we’re making progress. We say we’re on the right track.
But underneath all that doing... there’s a longing. A nagging question that we shove down: Why don’t I feel better than this?
What I know now is this: working harder won’t clear the fog.
You can’t organize your way out of misalignment.
You can’t schedule your way into feeling whole.
At some point, you have to stop rearranging the wool and just take it off. Tell the truth to yourself. The whole truth. The part you’ve been keeping quiet because it feels inconvenient, or scary, or like it might change everything.
You don’t have to fix it all today.
But you do have to stop pretending you don’t see it.
Jayme Mahoney, Licensed Clinical Therapist, unfolds her story of growth and discovery:
"I was on a quest for something different, something more. Dipped my toes in just about everything - courses, workshops, books, you name it. I was after a new outcome, a fresh start. Enter Stacy. She didn't just show me the ropes; she showed me I'm the one holding them, trauma and all. Now, I'm stepping into the arena, ready to face whatever comes my way. Her coaching didn't just offer insights; it revolutionized my career trajectory."
How to Start Seeing Clearly Again
If any part of this post hit a nerve, don’t rush past it. It’s not always a sign that something’s wrong. It’s usually the signal that something true is trying to get your attention.
Here are a few ways to start pulling the wool off—gently but clearly:
- Notice when you downplay what you want.
Pay attention to the language you use—“It’s fine,” “I shouldn’t need more,” “This is good enough.” Those are breadcrumbs. Follow them. - Ask yourself the uncomfortable version of the question.
Not “What should I do next?” but “What do I already know that I’ve been avoiding?” - Practice telling the full truth—just to yourself.
Write it down. Speak it out loud in the car. Let the full truth exist somewhere—even if you’re not ready to act on it. You just have to stop pretending you don’t know.
You don’t have to burn it all down or make a dramatic move. What shifts things most is the moment you stop managing your truth like it’s a liability…and let it be your guide instead. It requires 30 seconds of courage and a willingness to listen when your deeper truth starts speaking up.
Stay Present When It’s Easier to Shut Down
When conversations get tense, our first instinct is to shut down, keep the peace, or walk away entirely. But leadership—real leadership—means staying present, even when it’s uncomfortable.
If navigating hard conversations leaves you feeling anxious, hesitant, or unsure of what to say, you’re not alone. Many smart, capable leaders find themselves stuck between silence and conflict.
That’s exactly why I offer an Explore Coaching call.
It’s a real conversation about the specific challenges you’re facing—whether it’s navigating workplace dynamics, staying grounded in tough conversations, or figuring out how to lead with clarity and self-trust.
In our call, we’ll:
• Name what’s not working—and why it keeps showing up
• Explore what leadership could feel like with less reactivity and more calm
• Talk honestly about whether coaching is the right next step
This is for you if you’re tired of shrinking in moments that matter and ready to lead in a way that feels like you.
📅 Click here to schedule your Explore Coaching call.
You don’t have to settle for keeping quiet just to keep the peace. Let’s figure out how you can lead with more presence, even when the conversation gets hard.
/* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1695978871700 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1695978871700 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ background-color: #e2f8bf; /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1695978871700 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1695978871700 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1695978871700 { text-align: left; } } #block-1695978871700 .image__image { max-width: 32%; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1695978871700 .image__image { float: right; margin-left: 20px; } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700791860136 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791860136 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 0px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700791860136 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791860136 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ /* desktop padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700791860136 { text-align: ; } } #block-1700791860136 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791860136 .image, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .image { width: 100%; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791860136 .image__image, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .image__image { width: 100%; } #block-1700791860136 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791860136 .image__overlay-text, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .image__overlay-text { color: !important; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #block-1700791860136 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791860136 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791860136"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; } #block-1700791860136 .image__overlay:hover { opacity: 1; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1721692799670 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1721692799670 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1721692799670 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1721692799670 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1721692799670 { text-align: left; } } #block-1577982541036_0 .btn { margin-top: 1rem; } #block-1721692799670 .btn, [data-slick-id="1721692799670"] .block .btn { color: #464646; border-color: #8be400; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #8be400; } #block-1721692799670 .btn--outline, [data-slick-id="1721692799670"] .block .btn--outline { background: transparent; color: #8be400; } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700791817365 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791817365 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 0px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700791817365 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791817365 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ /* desktop padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700791817365 { text-align: ; } } #block-1700791817365 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791817365 .image, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .image { width: 100%; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791817365 .image__image, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .image__image { width: 100%; } #block-1700791817365 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791817365 .image__overlay-text, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .image__overlay-text { color: !important; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #block-1700791817365 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791817365 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791817365"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; } #block-1700791817365 .image__overlay:hover { opacity: 1; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1694873394061 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1694873394061 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ background-color: #ffffff; /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 10px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1694873394061 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1694873394061 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1694873394061 { text-align: left; } } #block-1577982541036_0 .btn { margin-top: 1rem; } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700193116716 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700193116716 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700193116716 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700193116716 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700193116716 { text-align: left; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1709766982711 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1709766982711 .block { /* border settings */ border: 5px black; border-radius: 3px; /* background color */ background-color: #e2f8bf; /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1709766982711 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1709766982711 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1709766982711 { text-align: center; } } #block-1709766982711 .feature__image, [data-slick-id="1709766982711"] .feature__image { width: 50px; border-radius: 4px; } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700193136548 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700193136548 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700193136548 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700193136548 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700193136548 { text-align: left; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1703548951165 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1703548951165 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1703548951165 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1703548951165 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1703548951165 { text-align: left; } } #block-1577982541036_0 .btn { margin-top: 1rem; } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700791824092 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791824092 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 0px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700791824092 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791824092 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ /* desktop padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700791824092 { text-align: ; } } #block-1700791824092 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791824092 .image, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .image { width: 100%; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791824092 .image__image, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .image__image { width: 100%; } #block-1700791824092 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791824092 .image__overlay-text, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .image__overlay-text { color: !important; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #block-1700791824092 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791824092 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791824092"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; } #block-1700791824092 .image__overlay:hover { opacity: 1; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700364748049 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700364748049 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700364748049 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -25px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700364748049 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700364748049 { text-align: left; } } #block-1577982541036_0 .btn { margin-top: 1rem; } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1700791840592 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791840592 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 0px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1700791840592 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1700791840592 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ /* desktop padding overrides */ padding: 0; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1700791840592 { text-align: ; } } #block-1700791840592 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791840592 .image, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .image { width: 100%; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791840592 .image__image, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .image__image { width: 100%; } #block-1700791840592 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; background-color: #fff; border-radius: 4px; } #block-1700791840592 .image__overlay-text, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .image__overlay-text { color: !important; } @media (min-width: 768px) { #block-1700791840592 .block, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .block { display: flex; justify-content: center; } #block-1700791840592 .image__overlay, [data-slick-id="1700791840592"] .image__overlay { opacity: 0; } #block-1700791840592 .image__overlay:hover { opacity: 1; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1695978967366 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1695978967366 .block { /* border settings */ border: 0px solid #ECF0F1; border-radius: 10px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1695978967366 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -15px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1695978967366 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1695978967366 { text-align: center; } } #block-1695978967366 .feature__image, [data-slick-id="1695978967366"] .feature__image { width: 100px; border-radius: 21px; } .authorfeature { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; position: relative; } .authorfeature__image-container { flex-shrink: 0; /* Prevent the image from shrinking */ margin-right: 20px; } .authorfeature__image { max-width: 150px; height: auto; } .authorfeature__content { flex-grow: 1; /* Allow the text and button to take the remaining space */ } @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1695978967366 .authorfeature { flex-direction: column; /* Stack children vertically */ align-items: center; } #block-1695978967366 .authorfeature__image-container { margin-right: 0; } } /* flush setting */ /* margin settings */ #block-1703958985190 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1703958985190 .block { /* border settings */ border: 4px black; border-radius: 4px; /* background color */ /* default padding for mobile */ padding: 0px; padding: 0px; /* mobile padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { /* desktop margin settings */ #block-1703958985190 { margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; } #block-1703958985190 .block { /* default padding for desktop */ padding: 0px; /* desktop padding overrides */ padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; } } /* mobile text align */ @media (max-width: 767px) { #block-1703958985190 { text-align: center; } } #block-1703958985190 .btn, [data-slick-id="1703958985190"] .block .btn { color: #464646; border-color: #8be400; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #8be400; } #block-1703958985190 .btn--outline, [data-slick-id="1703958985190"] .block .btn--outline { background: transparent; color: #8be400; }
Take the quiz now:
What's Your Leadership Kryptonite?
Discover your kryptonite...and get your antidote!
