SUCCESS without SOUL

Jake Luehrs
May 24, 2025

ONE QUESTION

If all external validation disappeared tomorrow, what parts of your life would still feel meaningful and worthwhile?

ONE THING TO PONDER

Endings are for clearing space, not about loss. The truth is that endings are about sparking transformations. Those can’t happen without some clearing.

ONE PERSPECTIVE

There is only one definition of success that matters….YOURS.

When we talk about success, what are we even talking about?

How much is enough?

We're suffering from a collective delusion about success that's destroying our chance at genuine fulfillment. Let me explain...

The outside perception and internal expectations to 'succeed' based on some arbitrary definition is shallow at best.

We have to stop trying to define success as some all agreed upon metric. It's different for every single one of us. We all tick differently, and that should be cherished.

I’m convinced that we’ve all felt that feeling of emptiness after achieving something impressive and realized it didn't fill the void like we thought it would.

If you make a ton of money, or have a lot of cool things, AND you’re happy, I’m pumped for you!

If you make a ton of money, or have a lot of cool things, and you’re insecure, anxious and overwhelmed, money and things may actually be your trap.

Success without service becomes hollow.

With achievement and accolades, the applause is always temporary, and the void always returns.

In my Self Leadership Trainings over the past 6 months, I’ve noticed something that has rattled me a bit…..

Many of the high performing people who’ve achieved great things have shared with me that they are struggling (but don’t feel they can admit it to their teams, the people they lead).

They care about people deeply, but have reached the pinnacle of success only to realize there is something significant missing in their lives….fulfillment.

MY ASK: If this is you, please reach out to me, I have some questions I can share with you..though you may not like them.

Strivers don’t know how to know how much ‘success’ is enough. I’ve travelled that road, and honestly, I’m still on it a bit.

I think wealth is super important, it can do great things for a lot of people. However, if it comes at the expense of your happiness, it's time to get honest with yourself.

When we get our internal compass pointing in the right direction, we actually become more fulfilled and more valuable to other people, and oftentimes we’ll make MORE money. .

The brutal truth: As long as your definition of success can be compared to others, you've surrendered your happiness to something outside of your control.

To be 'successful' requires self-awareness.

Without self-awareness, ambition becomes a dangerous force. It propels you efficiently in potentially wrong directions.

Consider these uncomfortable questions:

- Do you know what genuinely makes you feel alive?
- Can you name your core values without hesitation?
- Do your daily actions align with these values?

Without truly knowing yourself, you'll always be lost. BUT….you can always impress people with all your success! If you can’t tell, there is some sarcasm there.

YOU'VE got to figure that out, nobody else can.

It requires humility and courage not to make decisions based on others expectations. And it requires a worthy mission to positively impact others.

Work harder on yourself than you do on your job and watch what unfolds over time!

I'll see you along the way!

Onward and upward!

P.S. If this message resonated with someone you care about who might be trapped in someone else's version of success, please forward it to them.

PODCAST

^{Harvard Professor Reveals the Secret to Happiness in Leadership | Arthur Brooks}

The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

This podcast is for everyone. I know A LOT of people that have muscled their way to success. I’ve done it myself, and after about 5 years, I dove into a dark place not knowing why. Is your identity wrapped up in your work? Are you chasing something for a feeling? Are you forcing yourself to get up everyday? If any of these questions spark something, consider giving this a listen.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness
by Steven K. Scott

Don’t let the title fool you. This book is meaningful, timely and timeless. This book dives into different definitions of a life well lived, all the while weaving together personal growth professional results. There are solutions to every problem in life, and how you choose to look at life’s challenges heavily determines your ability to work through them while not being miserable!