Episode 08
A CONVERSATION WITH ALEX DUNN
BEHIND THE SUCCESS | ALEX DUNN'S JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE AND LEADERSHIP
Huge success can feel surprisingly… disappointing.
When I spoke with Alex Dunn, one of the founders of Vivint, he told me about how after he had worked day-in-and-day-out tirelessly for years to achieve the success he now has, he was totally surprised at how unfulfilling it was when he arrived.
He explained to me how he has learned that the joy is truly in the journey. Sure, the big paychecks are nice and you do feel accomplished… but it often doesn’t last very long before you start to feel the universe nagging you again to go do something more, only BIGGER this time. It’s the progress in expanding one’s self that brings joy in life, not static contentment.
“So if you feel like you’re in “the grind” right now, congratulations! It means you are now living in the time you will one day look back and call “The good ol’ days.””
If you wait until you’re at the top of the mountain to feel happy, like “you made it”, you’ll be disappointed to find that that day never comes. If you’re not happy now you won’t ever be. Just enjoy the journey!
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MY FAVORITE INSIGHT FROM THIS EPISODE:
“Wasting brain energy is one of the worst things you can do to yourself.”
A while back on my podcast with Alex Dunn, he talked about how when he was in college he would constantly compare himself to the successful entrepreneurs he saw around him. He would think about how they had character traits and opportunities that he didn’t, and it would make him discouraged.
Now years later, after having massive business exits and great success, he shared with me this thought: “The most important lesson I’ve learned about leadership and business over the years was that I needed to be true to myself. Like who was I? What was I good at? And then focusing on and strengthening my strengths. We have a tendency to always be focusing on getting better at the things we’re not good at, and take for granted the things we are good at… just be authentic to you and great things will happen.”