5 Reasons You’re Unsatisfied With Your Success (and How You Can Fix It)

It could be considered heartbreaking. I interview leaders from some of the most reputable companies in the world, and entrepreneurs and employees working in nearly every industry. I’ve heard from people who both love what they do and those who hate what they do–those who have great passion for their work but wished they made more money, and those who make fat paychecks but are ultimately dispassionate about their work. 

The point is; a lot of people aren’t satisfied with what they’ve achieved at this point in their life.

Is your level of success not what you imagined? Did you once dream it would be more fulfilling? You’re not alone. Numerous recent workplace studies reveal still dismal (but rising) employee engagement scores, job dissatisfaction, broken or bruised relationships with leaders and partners, and a ton of squashed dreams. Studies are great at exposing data and trends.

But, I’ve found through countless one-on-one conversations, many of the reasons leaders and entrepreneurs aren’t satisfied with their own level of success is due to their own perspective. And, that’s good news for all of us–because it means our mindsets can be easily fixed.

Here are six reasons you may feel dissatisfied with your current career. 

1. You chased only one aspect. 

The old saying, ‘do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life’ is actually true. But, ‘doing what you love’ may not always pay the bills. Numerous people have told me that they aren’t satisfied with their work or business because they didn’t expect the financial stress of life. But, I’ve also heard from plenty who chased an idea simply for the paycheck–and now wish they were doing something more emotionally fulfilling.

How do you fix either situation? Keep chasing balance. You may have initially chosen a path either for passion or money, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop chasing the other aspects.    

2. You got hung up on title. 

A former coworker started her first business a few years ago. She told me that she had always aspired to become an owner, but once she became successful, realized she no longer loved her ‘job.’ This is natural. Many of us grow up assigning prestige to various titles or even professions–especially owner or CEO. But, we often don’t pause to ask if we would actually prefer the work that accompanies those roles.

How do you fix this situation? Think about how you want to spend the minutes in your day rather than focusing on how you want to be labeled.  

3. You forgot about the present. 

Feeling dissatisfied about your current success can consume your life. It can affect your health, relationships, and overall level of happiness. It can fill your head with regrets, and create a sense of hopelessness for the future. But, that’s kind of the point.

Once you realize that your past decisions led you to where you are today, it’s easy to see that your present decisions will define your future. If you want to change tomorrow, focus on what you can do today.

4. You overlooked the people who matter most. 

The old saying, ‘Success is not about what you know, but instead about who you know,’ is absolutely true. But, it’s often misunderstood. Young people often believe that adage means that it’s important to know powerful people. But, any seasoned executive will share a different explanation–that the relationships you build early in your journey (with partners, vendors, and employees) become the foundation of your reputation. If you’ve dismissed people, or treated them badly, it can and will impact your future success.

How do you fix it? Recognize the people who help you achieve on a daily basis. Show gratitude. These people may not have big titles or power positions today. But who knows where they’ll be in 20 years. The only thing you can predict is that they’ll remember how you treated them before they found success.    

5. You misunderstand progress. 

As children, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. That conversation led us all to believe that earning a specific title was a destination–and that once we arrived, we couldn’t move forward. But, that would mean you don’t believe you have any accountability for your future.

How do you fix it? That’s easy. Realize that whatever you’re doing today is simply another step forward–it’s simply a moment in time that’s revealing everything you need to know about how to improve.

Success is more complex than just job titles and functions. It’s bendable, shapeable, and flexible. It’s a compilation of moments, experiences, and relationships that create your so-called work story. If you’re not yet satisfied, keep writing that story. Spending any more time feeling frustrated won’t change your future.  

The extended deadline for the 2025 Inc. Best in Business Awards is this Friday, September 19, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.