As a business leader, every season seems to bring a new challenge. Once we overcome one, another appears. A difficult staff issue is resolved… then product issues surface. A product stabilises… then sales slow. We hit a sales milestone… only to realise profitability still needs work.
And each time, I tell myself: “Just get through this, and then I’ll feel happy.”
That’s the trap—the fallacy of arrival.
It is the mistaken belief that happiness lies just beyond the next solved problem, fixed flaw, or achieved target. But here’s the uncomfortable truth I have learned through years of leadership: there will always be another problem waiting.
The Endless Horizon
In both business and life, there is no finish line. Growth brings change. Leadership demands constant adaptation. The pursuit of excellence uncovers new layers to improve.
The moment we overcome one obstacle, two more appear on the horizon. If happiness is always postponed to “after the next success,” it becomes an ever-moving target. We never arrive. We set ourselves up for a lifetime of postponed contentment.
I have caught myself in this trap countless times at work. We worked tirelessly to address performance issues, believing that relief was just around the corner. We pushed towards revenue goals, convinced that hitting those numbers would finally bring satisfaction.
The problem? Each resolution or achievement simply revealed new challenges. Better sales numbers brought new pressure to maintain them. Replacing underperformers meant training new team members.
Leadership, I realised, is not a series of problems to be solved. It is an ongoing journey of growth, adaptation, and continuous challenge.
Shift from Destination to Journey
It took me a while (and a few bruises) to realise this:
Happiness at work doesn’t come after the chaos. It comes within it.
The shift in mindset was not easy, but it is essential: happiness cannot be found at the destination because there is no final destination. It is hidden in the daily process. It must be found in the journey itself.
So how do we find happiness in the work?
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Redefine Success
Instead of only celebrating big milestones, start acknowledging daily progress.
Every time a team member grows, every time you navigate a tough conversation with grace, every time a problem is solved—pause. Appreciate that. Celebrate those moments.
- Choose Meaning Over Comfort
Work isn’t always fun, but it can be meaningful. When the work aligns with a bigger purpose—serving customers well, building a strong team, creating value—joy follows, even in hardship.
- Celebrate Small Wins Daily
Instead of waiting for major milestones, acknowledge the smaller victories that happen every day. Laugh with your team. Take a walk after a long meeting. Reflect over a good cup of coffee. These small things matter. Don’t postpone happiness for grand occasions—let it seep into the ordinary.
- Find Joy in Problem-Solving
Rather than viewing challenges as obstacles to happiness, reframe them as puzzles to solve. The process of analysing, strategising, and implementing solutions can be genuinely fulfilling with the right mindset.
- Detach from Perfection
Not every plan will work out. Not every hire will succeed. That’s okay. Strive for progress, not perfection. Give yourself room to breathe—and others room to grow. Progress isn’t linear, and perfection isn’t the goal. Accepting that setbacks are part of the journey allows you to find peace in the midst of ongoing challenges.
- Embrace the Learning Process
Every challenge is a learning opportunity. Instead of merely enduring difficulties, actively extract lessons from them. This transforms problems from delays in happiness into experiences that enrich your leadership journey.
- Invest in Relationships
Some of the most meaningful moments in leadership come from human connections—mentoring team members, witnessing their growth, building trust, and creating a positive work environment. These relationships provide fulfilment that transcends specific business outcomes.
- Be Grateful for the Opportunity
Leadership, despite its challenges, is a privilege. You have the opportunity to impact lives, build something meaningful, and contribute to outcomes larger than yourself. Recognising this can shift your perspective from burden to blessing.
- Reclaim Your “Why”
When the grind wears you down, return to your original purpose. It was never just about sales—it was about building something worthwhile. Anchor yourself to that.
What Running 100km Taught Me
Ultra-running taught me this lesson too. At 60km into a 100km race, you can’t survive by thinking only of the finish line. You have to find joy in the rhythm, the scenery, the challenge itself. Runners who obsess over the end often burn out. The ones who stay present tend to finish strong.
Leadership is no different. There is no final summit—just another hill, another storm, another opportunity. And that’s okay. Growth lives in movement.
The Journey Is the Destination
This shift in perspective doesn’t happen overnight. I still catch myself falling into the “I’ll be happy when…” trap. But more and more, I’m learning to embrace the present:
- The tough conversations that build trust
- The slow, steady growth of team members
- The quiet moments of clarity amidst chaos
The problems will keep coming. But our happiness doesn’t have to wait until they stop.
The journey is the destination.
The process is the reward.
And learning to dance in the rain might just be the most important leadership skill of all.
Let’s stop chasing happiness at the destination—and start living it on the journey.