We’ve all been there. You finally win the board’s full backing, launch the major new initiative, or get named to the “Top 50 Visionary Leaders” list.

Confetti showers in your head, high fives all around, maybe even a congratulatory cake with the team. You are happy, for a moment. 

And then…

And Then What?

You move the goalpost. You set a new target. You tell yourself, “I’ll relax when this next thing is done.” Which, by the way, is a lie. A very convincing, spreadsheet-approved lie. 

This “achievement treadmill” is so common that it should be a CrossFit class. Society has trained us to believe the next milestone will bring fulfillment. But milestones are events, not states of being. You, my friend, are far more than your accomplishments.

Why Chasing The Next Thing Won’t Make You Happy

Love, connection, meaning—those are states of being that can make you an extraordinary and fulfilled leader. “Being” doesn’t care how big your signing bonus was, or what your company’s stock price is, or how many LinkedIn followers you have. It is simply you being fully and unapologetically YOU.

So next time your brain chirps “And then what?”— respond with something radically unproductive like “I’ll sit here and appreciate this moment” or “I’ll tell someone I love them (without a KPI attached!)”

Ask yourself:

• What are you constantly striving toward—and why?

• What might be available if you stopped always chasing and started being more?

• Could fulfillment be as much about presence as progress?

7 Amare Action Steps to Interrupt the “And Then What?” Loop with Love

1. Pause and appreciate the Now. The next time you catch yourself moving to the next goal, stop for a moment. Soak in what you’ve just accomplished. Savor the win before you move on.

2. Share your gratitude. Tell someone close to you what you’ve just achieved. Share your success, not as a brag but as a genuine moment of connection.

3. Be present. Take a walk, sit in silence, or take a break and just be. Don’t think about what’s next—just appreciate where you are right now.

4. Find joy in the small wins. Every step counts. Celebrate the small victories as much as the big ones. You don’t need to wait for the massive milestones to feel a sense of accomplishment.

5. Do something just because. Try something totally out of character for you—maybe it’s a quick dance break or a spontaneous phone call to a friend. Do it for the pure joy of doing it.

6. Breathe and reflect. Take 5 minutes first thing every morning to breathe deeply and reflect on the journey so far and what you’ve learned and experienced.

7. Help your team celebrate. When you see others achieve something, pause and acknowledge their success. Spread the love and celebrate the wins together.

Stop Chasing. Start Leading.

In a world that loves and rewards the “And Then What?” game, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless pursuit of the next thing. The truth is that true happiness is not found in the next milestone, the next deal, or the next victory. It’s in the now, in being present, and in sharing the joy of each step along the way. 

As a leader, you can break free from the “And Then What?” loop and lead with love, joy, and presence, knowing that success isn’t just about where you’re going—it’s about how you show up every single day.

You just read this article. Maybe you felt something stir. You smiled a little. And then what? Maybe, just maybe, for a few minutes, you stay right here, with love as your guide.

Let’s do this,

Moshe

Flourish as a Leader with the “Strong Start” Coaching Program

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Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote

“Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” 

— Margaret Lee Runbeck, American novelist

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Rev. Dr. Heather Shea, founder of Everyday Knowings, for inspiring this issue.

Click here and read more Amare Wave Wednesday newsletters on related topics:

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3 Ways to Gain Worldly & Spiritual Fulfillment in Business & Life

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It’s the Little Things: The Secret to Building and Leading a Thriving Team

Original article published on Inc.com.