Don’t Be Afraid to Give Up the Good for the Great
Part of Conscious Leadership series
Every Challenge Is a Teacher: Choosing to Live Above the Line
In conscious leadership, being above the line means approaching life from openness rather than defensiveness, curiosity rather than judgment, and a deep commitment to learning rather than complacency. It means seeing emotions and challenges not as obstacles but as signals-inviting us to grow. This mindset is the key to feeling truly present and appreciating the unique value of each moment.
Practicing this shift has transformed how I face adversity. When I encountered some of the toughest challenges in my life-moments I once saw as setbacks or even endings-I learned to pause and ask, “What is this teaching me?” Choosing curiosity and openness turned those very challenges into launchpads for deeper fulfillment and meaningful work. Moving from resistance to learning changed everything.
At 27, I had methodically checked off every goal I set for myself-but I wasn’t happy. Something was missing. That’s when I faced a difficult question: Should I settle for the good I had, or give it up to pursue something truly great?
Rockefeller’s Wisdom: Don’t Be Afraid to Give Up the Good for the Great
John D. Rockefeller famously said, “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” This isn’t just about business or success-it’s about mindset. It takes extreme curiosity and a commitment to learning to let go of what feels safe and “good enough,” trusting that something greater awaits.
This leap demands courage, humility, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. But it’s precisely this mindset-being open, curious, and committed-that turns every person and situation into a teacher and every challenge into an opportunity.
My Decision: Resetting the Bank and Rebuilding with Purpose
I made the difficult choice to return the money my family had provided me, effectively resetting the bank-and maybe the clock. I decided to rebuild not for myself, but for my family and community first. This decision gave me more than reward or duty-it gave me love and purpose.
I began to love my work every day because it was rooted in serving others through investing. That single choice to give up the good for the great became an evergreen source of energy that propels me forward and keeps me motivated.
If you haven’t experienced a similar voluntary (or even forced) loss, it’s hard to fully convey the feeling. But this mindset of conscious leadership gave me a practical framework to navigate it, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
If you’re curious about this approach, I’d be happy to share more about my journey and how it shaped me into a stronger, happier, and more fulfilled person. Feel free to email me. I welcome the conversation.
This is the sixth in a series of posts about my experience with Conscious Leadership. Here are the previous ones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Email me at mk@gex.vc or leave a comment if you’d like to discuss further.