I was successful, no doubt about it. I sold millions of records, there are kids with posters of me on their walls, I’ve dined with celebrities, and had a blast. But as the years crept on, the joy was slipping away. I loved being on stage, but all the money and fame in the world couldn’t stop me from feeling as if I were losing my passion for what I was doing. There was something missing from all of it. I thought long and hard and realized what was missing. Me. I had become a robot. I did what I had to do in order to do my “job” and that was all it required. I wasn’t challenged, I wasn’t given new opportunities, I was stagnant.

In all of that, I realized why all that “success” meant nothing to me. I was utterly miserable inside. On the outside, I was still having the time of my life, but on the inside I hated everything about it. It was then that I wrote a long email to the band explaining my position.

They’ve remained together and taken on a new guitarist (who is someone I admire a lot) and have been very successful this year (I know, because I get to look at the financial statements). I could be making a lot more money, but I’ve never been one to think that’s the sole determining factor in success.

Now, I am a real estate agent, I have new goals and a new vision for success for myself. It doesn’t hinge on everyone else. It’s all on me. Pressure? Sure. I’d rather live with that pressure and succeed or fail – but knowing it was all mine to begin with is what defines my success. If I am controlling my own destiny and doing my best (whether I’m reaching the goal of success or not), I am successful.

That’s neither here nor there. I left a great job as a Controller to leave Hawaii and ‘do my own thing’ rather than continue on making/protecting money for others. I’ve lived with lots of $$, and without lots of $$. At this point I’m in a ‘without’ stage, but can honestly tell you I’ve never been happier.