“The moment you stop moving forward, you start sliding backward. Growth is life—entropy never sleeps.”
In my first marriage, I heard it time and time again: “Aren’t you ever satisfied?”
We’d hit a milestone, maybe paying off a chunk of debt, landing a big project, or achieving some big goal, and I’d be on that wave of excitement and energy that comes with success, and start talking about what was next, then I would hear the sould crushing words “aren’t you ever satisfied?”
BAM – face to floor, excitement gone.
My wife at the time (now ex-wife) wanted to rest and just be happy with what we had done. I get that, and I 100% think you should be completely grateful for where you are, even if you don’t love it, and what you have achieved, but at the same time, your eye should be on what is next.
“Growth is life, stopping is death.”
Gratitude Grounds You, Ambition Pulls You Forward
Let’s get real for a second. Celebrating your wins isn’t just nice—it’s essential. When you hit a goal, whether it’s running your first 5K, launching a side hustle, or just surviving a tough season, you’ve earned the right to pause and say, “Hell yeah, I did that.” Gratitude is like planting your feet firmly on the ground. It reminds you of your strength, your progress, and the people who’ve got your back along the way. Those wins, no matter how small, tell you that you can do it.
But here’s the flip side: staying in that moment too long, and being satisfied with your achievements, makes you stagnant. Life doesn’t stand still, and neither should you. That big win? It’s a foundation, not a finish line. The moment you decide you’re “done,” entropy starts its work. Relationships drift if you don’t nurture them. Skills dull if you don’t sharpen them. Dreams fade if you don’t chase them. Ambition isn’t about being greedy or ungrateful—it’s about recognizing that there’s always more to learn, build, and become.
If nothing else, you are getting older and EVERYTHING you do is getting harder. If you are over 40 think about if you can put your shoes on without groaning. That is what entropy is doing to all of your life, all the time.
“Success is not a destination, it’s a journey. The moment you think you’ve arrived, you’re already on your way down.” — Zig Ziglar
My Story: Apparently, I’m never happy with adventures
One easy place to illustrate this whole issue of loving where you are at, but looking forward at the same time is when I’m out on a trip with someone. We are on vacation or having some awesome adventure, and for me, I’m excited. I love it, I want to do more, so when things slow down, I start talking about what is next.
At this point, whoever I’m with starts looking at me like I’m not having fun now and throwing emotional rocks. Usually, it is a phrase that equates to “aren’t you ever satisfied?”. The answer is no, I always want more. The excitement and fire that whatever I’m doing only motivates me to do more.
Average people can’t conceive of how I can be super happy for where I’m at, and use that excitement to drive me forward towards the next awesome adventure. Hopefully you can and you can start doing the same.
The Viking Mindset: Honor the Past, Conquer the Future
If you’ve read my stuff before, you know I lean into this “Mad Mad Viking” vibe—grit, fire, and a refusal to settle. That’s not about being reckless; it’s about living with purpose. Think of it like a Viking longship. You row hard to reach new shores, but you also take care of the ship along the way. You celebrate every mile you’ve traveled, but you don’t drop anchor and call it quits just because the view’s nice. There’s always another horizon.
Here’s how I try to live that out—and maybe it’ll resonate with you:
- Say Thanks, Mean It: Every day, I take a beat to appreciate what’s in my life. My health, my family, the fact that I’ve got a roof over my head and a chance to chase my dreams. Write it down if you have to. Gratitude isn’t fluffy—it’s fuel.
- *Own Your Wins*: Look back at what you’ve accomplished. That project you finished? That tough conversation you had? That’s you making shit happen. Don’t downplay it. Give yourself the credit you deserve.
- Keep One Eye on the Horizon: What’s the next step? It doesn’t have to be huge—maybe it’s learning a new skill, tweaking a habit, or dreaming up a project. The point is to keep moving. Stagnation is the enemy.
- Embrace the Grind: Growth isn’t always sexy. Sometimes it’s messy, slow, or straight-up exhausting. That’s okay. Every step forward counts, even the small ones. Like I wrote in Big Goals Need Little Steps, you don’t conquer a mountain in one leap—you do it one stubborn, sweaty step at a time.
Your Challenge This Week
So, here’s my ask: take five minutes today and write down one thing you’re grateful for—something you’ve achieved or something that just makes your life better. Feel it. Own it. Then, write down one thing you want to go after next. Doesn’t matter how big or small—just something that lights a spark. Share it with someone you trust, or hell, post it and tag me. Let’s hold each other accountable.
Because here’s the truth: you can be grateful and hungry. You can love where you are and chase where you’re going. That’s not dissatisfaction—that’s living. Entropy’s always out there, waiting to wear you down. Don’t let it. Keep growing, keep building, keep moving. You’ve got this.
What’s your win this week, and what’s next? Hit me up and let’s talk about it.
