Redefining Success: Why I Walked Away from More Revenue to Prioritize What Matters

January 20, 2025  | 

Last week, I made a decision that might surprise you: I turned down an opportunity to partner up with another business and work on the financial aspects of divorce cases that would have guaranteed me a significant rise in annual revenue in 2025.

The numbers were tempting. The deal was exciting. But when I weighed the added workload, I knew it wasn’t aligned with how I want to live and work. So, I said no.

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I would’ve taken the deal in a heartbeat, regardless of the cost to my time or peace of mind. But along the way, I’ve learned a powerful lesson:

More money doesn’t always mean a better life.

As solopreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in the chase for growth. But reading the book SHINE by Gino Wickman and Rob Dube this past week reminded me how much more fulfilling the journey can be when we define success for ourselves.

In the opening chapters, the authors share story after story of high-performing entrepreneurs who appeared to “have it all”—thriving businesses, growing revenue, and public accolades. But behind the scenes, many of them felt deeply unfulfilled.

One entrepreneur, who had achieved massive financial success, described feeling like a hamster on a wheel—always running but never arriving. Another shared how the constant hustle left them disconnected from their family and questioning their purpose. And yet another, despite financial freedom, confessed to feeling trapped by the very business they built.

These stories hit home, because I found myself in that same exact struggle myself after 25 years of grinding it out. Today, marks the 11 year anniversary of the last day I decided to give less to a business and more to what mattered. I sold my share of my leading independent insurance agency and started over.

Avoiding the Money-First Trap

Spend five minutes on LinkedIn or Instagram, and you’ll see the same hustle story repeated endlessly:

“I worked 70 hour weeks for five years to build a 7-figure business.”

The message? That constant hustle is the only path to success. That wanting time for yourself or your family is somehow lazy.

But what these stories rarely highlight are the hidden costs: strained relationships, increased stress that leads to sleepless nights and deteriorating health, and the nagging emptiness that even millions in the bank can’t fix.

Reading SHINE reminded me that many entrepreneurs face these exact challenges. The good news? There’s a better way—a way to balance ambition with fulfillment, success with meaning, and work with life. As I write in my book… You CAN be profitable in support of your life, not at the expense of it.

There’s a Better Path To Profits

Don’t get me wrong— I love my business, and I love growing it. I’m energized by setting goals and celebrating milestones when I reach them. But I’ve also learned to balance that drive with a deep commitment to living a fulfilling life.

Here’s how I make it work:

  • Work-life integration: I work 30-40 hours a week, leaving time for family, fun, and rest.
  • Connection: I have dinner with my husband every night and treasure our mid-week lunch dates.
  • Travel: I’ve incorporated traveling to new places into my business offerings
  • Health and joy: I prioritize eight hours of sleep, morning walks, and reading books that feed my curiosity (like SHINE).

Most importantly, I’ve built my business to support my life—not consume it.

Redefining Success

Success isn’t about earning the most money or building the biggest empire. It’s about creating a life where your work supports your values, relationships, and purpose.

For me, success looks like:

  • Deep, meaningful relationships
  • A healthy body and mind
  • Pursuing passions outside of work
  • Creating value for others
  • Financial security

Notice what’s missing? There’s no place for endless hustle or sacrificing what matters most.

How to Build a Life-First Business

If you want to design a business that works for your life, here’s what has worked for me:

  1. Set boundaries before they’re necessary. Define your work hours and structure your business within them.
  2. Ask better questions. When opportunities arise, I ask myself: “Will this make my life better—or just make my business bigger?”
  3. Define your ‘enough.’ Know the income you need to support your ideal lifestyle. You can figure this number out by digging into my best selling book THE PATH TO PROFITS Once you hit it, focus on sustaining it rather than endlessly chasing more.

Warning Signs You’re Off Track

I wasn’t always good at this. Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I worked more, harder, and longer—and my relationships suffered.

If you’re feeling unbalanced, here are five red flags to watch out for:

  1. You’re constantly exhausted and pushing through.
  2. You feel guilty for taking time off.
  3. Your self-worth is tied to your revenue.
  4. You’re always chasing the next milestone instead of enjoying today.
  5. You tell yourself, “I’ll fix my life after I hit this goal.”

Sound familiar? Number 4 was my Kryptonite for years.

The Bottom Line

Your business should enhance your life—not consume it.

Yes, there will be seasons of hustle, long hours, and hard decisions. But if your business consistently takes more than it gives, it’s time to recalibrate.

The book SHINE and my book THE PATH TO PROFITS both beautifully illustrates what’s possible when we align our work with our deepest values and priorities. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about revenue—it’s about creating a life you love.

So, let 2025 be the year you define success differently. Build a business that serves you, fills your buckets, and aligns with your purpose.

Because at the end of the day, no one wishes they’d spent more time chained to their desk.

Here’s to a year of success—on your terms.

This is a contributed blog post by Michelle Jacobik, an award-winning author, business strategist, and speaker who empowers entrepreneurs to align their vision with financial success. She is the author of the award-winning book “The Path to Profits,” which offers a proven roadmap for building a profitable and fulfilling business.

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