The exhilarating culmination of years of relentless effort, selling a business often brings a wave of relief mixed with an unexpected sense of emptiness. Entrepreneurs, accustomed to the constant drive and pressure of building and maintaining their ventures, suddenly find themselves facing a void, a question echoing in the newfound silence: “What now?” This moment of transition, while signifying financial freedom and the achievement of a significant milestone, can be surprisingly challenging. The familiar structure and purpose that defined their lives have vanished, leaving them adrift in a sea of possibilities, often unsure of which direction to take. This is the precise predicament Steven Bartlett, the founder of Social Chain and host of Diary of a CEO, found himself in after exiting his company. Instead of immediately pursuing new ventures or indulging in lavish vacations, he received a piece of advice that would profoundly reshape his perspective on success and the pursuit of purpose.
This crucial advice came from his mentor, Shakil Khan, an early investor in Shopify and a seasoned entrepreneur himself. Counterintuitively, Khan didn’t suggest diving into the next business opportunity or capitalizing on the momentum of the recent sale. Instead, he offered a surprisingly simple yet profound recommendation: do nothing. This seemingly passive approach, far from being an invitation to idleness, was a strategic call for introspection and recalibration. Khan recognized that Bartlett’s success had been fueled by a deep-seated hunger, a drive born from insecurity and the desire to prove himself. Having achieved financial security, this hunger needed a new focus, a new source of inspiration. Rushing into another venture without this crucial period of reflection risked burnout, misaligned efforts, and ultimately, a diminished sense of fulfillment. Khan understood that true success isn’t just about achieving external goals but also about aligning those goals with one’s evolving inner compass.
For high-achievers like Bartlett, accustomed to constant motion and progress, the concept of stillness felt counterintuitive, even unsettling. The very drive that had propelled them to build successful businesses now resisted the idea of pausing, of embracing a period of inactivity. Yet, Khan’s advice wasn’t about becoming idle; it was about actively engaging in self-reflection, a process of deep introspection designed to unearth new passions and redefine purpose. This period of “doing nothing” was, in reality, a crucial phase of active internal work, a time to reassess values, identify genuine inspirations, and avoid the trap of pursuing ventures that no longer resonated with their evolving selves. Bartlett himself admitted that this period of intentional inactivity was the “hardest thing” he had ever done, highlighting the inherent challenge of resisting the ingrained urge to constantly strive and achieve. However, within this stillness, within the discomfort of inactivity, he unearthed invaluable clarity, a newfound understanding of his own motivations and aspirations.
This period of reflection paved the way for Khan’s second piece of advice, which built upon the foundation laid by the first: “You need to take on a moonshot.” This wasn’t simply an encouragement to set ambitious goals; it was a call to identify a challenge so audacious, so compelling, that it would reignite the internal fire and propel Bartlett beyond his existing limitations. A moonshot, in this context, wasn’t just a larger-than-life project; it was a deeply personal quest that aligned with his redefined sense of purpose and pushed him to explore uncharted territories. This concept of a moonshot wasn’t about chasing external validation or achieving greater financial success; it was about pursuing a challenge that resonated deeply with his intrinsic motivations, something that would genuinely excite and inspire him.
The wisdom gleaned from Bartlett’s experience transcends the specific context of selling a business. It offers valuable lessons for anyone at a crossroads, whether they’ve achieved a significant milestone, feel stuck in their current path, or are simply seeking greater fulfillment. The core principle lies in embracing the power of pause, of taking time for deliberate reflection before leaping into the next endeavor. This period of introspection allows for a reassessment of goals, an identification of true inspirations, and the avoidance of pursuing ventures that no longer align with one’s evolving values. This process necessitates redefining one’s personal definition of success, understanding that what motivated past achievements may not be relevant or fulfilling in the next chapter. It requires honest self-assessment, identifying what truly excites and challenges, and even embracing the element of fear as a sign of venturing into uncharted territory.
Finally, the concept of finding one’s “moonshot” encourages identifying a goal that transcends mere ambition and resonates with a deeper sense of purpose. This isn’t simply about setting a big, audacious goal; it’s about finding a challenge that reignites passion, pushes boundaries, and encourages bold risk-taking. This process might involve brainstorming several potential “moonshots,” exploring ideas that both excite and terrify, and ultimately selecting the one that aligns most closely with one’s redefined values and aspirations. The key takeaway is that true fulfillment often lies not in the constant pursuit of external achievements, but in the courageous act of pausing, reflecting, and identifying a purpose that ignites the inner fire and propels us towards meaningful growth and contribution. Bartlett’s story serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most strategic move is to resist the urge to constantly strive and instead, embrace the power of stillness, allowing the path forward to emerge organically from a place of clarity and renewed purpose. The courage to “do nothing” can, paradoxically, be the most powerful catalyst for achieving true and lasting fulfillment.
