“You can be winning the race and still running in the wrong direction.”
Corporate life rewards progress. Targets met. Projects shipped. Clients retained. Promotions earned. But what happens when you hit those milestones—and still feel stuck? What if the real question isn’t “Am I succeeding?” but “Am I succeeding at the right thing?”
That was me—polished on the outside, restless on the inside. I had momentum, but no meaning- literally. The rewards were present, but the alignment was missing. And nothing is heavier than success that doesn’t fit your soul. Explaining it to others won’t make sense, especially when they see how you are winning.
Yet, alignment isn’t about doing more. It isn’t even about winning more. It’s about doing what matters most—to you.
Let us take a look at some Signs You Might Be Climbing the Wrong Wall:
- You’re excellent at what you do—but you dread showing up.
- You’re getting recognized—but feel unseen.
- You have a seat at the table—but no voice in the direction.
- You’re always productive—but rarely fulfilled.
Do any of these ring a bell?
This is the silent tension many high performers face: the external success keeps rising while the internal spark dims.
Sometimes, it’s not burnout—it’s betrayal of self. You keep pushing harder in a direction that doesn’t feel like yours anymore. You chase rewards that don’t excite you. You silence instincts that once made you alive. Until you realize: climbing faster doesn’t help if the wall was never meant for you.
Success Without Alignment Will Cost You:
- Your energy. You’ll work harder and feel emptier.
- Your clarity. You’ll lose touch with what once made you passionate.
- Your creativity. You’ll execute well but dream less.
- Your purpose. You’ll lead others without feeling led by meaning.
High performance without alignment is unsustainable. It becomes hollow excellence—a shell of success without joy, depth, or peace. You become some sort of roboting emotionless worker-bee. And it’s more common than most will admit.
Allow me to show you what True Alignment Looks Like:
- Feeling energized, not just accomplished.
- Doing less, but with more impact.
- Saying “yes” because it’s right—not because it’s expected.
- Choosing peace over pressure, purpose over popularity.
Alignment brings wholeness. When you’re aligned, your performance becomes personal. Your leadership flows from within. You don’t just rise—you resonate. You are continuously energized and excited about life, your work, and your relationships. It spills over to other areas of your life. Just as the vice versa is also true.
How can you Realign?
- Pause for an honest audit. Where are you compromising your values for convenience or approval?
- Reconnect with your ‘why’. What energized you before titles and timelines clouded your vision?
- Redefine what success means for you. Is it peace? Impact? Flexibility? Legacy?
- Make one courageous realignment decision this quarter. It could be saying no, renegotiating, or even pivoting.
“Sometimes clarity doesn’t come from thinking more—it comes from listening deeper.”
Weekly Challenge:
- Block 1 hour this week to reflect: “Where am I winning on paper but losing in purpose?”
- Journal your ideal workweek—what would full alignment look and feel like?
- Have a conversation with a mentor or peer about what alignment means in your career.
- Identify one small decision this week that moves you closer to your aligned path.
“The right ladder on the wrong wall still leads you somewhere. Just not where you want to be.”
Don’t confuse movement with mission. Reclaim your direction. Because real success is not just what you reach—but who you become on the way there.
Let me hear your thoughts in the comments.
Odhiambo John Omondi Leadership Coach | Culture Strategist | Growth Facilitator🌐 www.ileadgrowth.com
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Recalibrating Minds for Growth | Thought Leader | Founder @ILeadGrowth | Facilitator @Beyond Success Kenya | Leadership Coach & Trainer | Motivational Speaker |