I heard this question at a leadership conference last month, delivered rhetorically and casually: “What if you had nothing left to prove?” The room went quiet, then the applause came. The conference discussions moved on, but the question stayed with me through the coffee break, the networking lunch, the flight home, and apparently even now. 😊 What if you had nothing left to prove?
At first, it seems impossible to have nothing left to prove. Most of us live under constant pressure, supporting families, leading teams, meeting payroll, and building careers, always with our eyes on the next milestone. Obligations don’t vanish just because we stop caring what others think. But then I realized there is a distinction: having nothing left to prove doesn’t mean having nothing left to do.
For much of our career, we operate in what I now think of as prove and chase mode. The next big client, promotion, or recognition always promised to be the milestone that would finally make me feel secure. Yet every time I reached one, the satisfaction lasted about as long as a good cup of coffee. The goal posts shifted, and I was back on the treadmill. When we live in this mode, our work (and lives) becomes a performance for an invisible audience. We say yes to projects not because they align with our values but because they look impressive. We keep chasing, hoping the next win will silence the doubts. It’s exhausting. And it never ends.
But what if the proving is already done? What if the chasing isn’t necessary?
That’s a fundamentally different kind of fuel, steadier, more authentic, more sustainable. And I’ve noticed something: leaders who make this shift often become more effective. Free from the burden of image management, they can focus fully on the work, make clearer decisions, and identify and admit to mistakes faster. They lead with purpose instead of performance.
The shift isn’t a switch you flip; it’s a muscle you build. Start by examining your scorecard. What are you chasing right now, and who are you trying to impress? A board? Industry peers? Some younger version of yourself? Then ask: what would I pursue if that audience disappeared tomorrow? Then, practice saying no to impressive opportunities that don’t serve your mission. Each yes that feeds only your ego is a no to what feeds your purpose. Focus instead on what you can control: your effort, preparation, values, and response. Recognition may or may not follow, but your integrity and impact will.
Here’s the surprise: ambition doesn’t disappear when you stop proving or chasing. It evolves. You still push hard, but the energy comes from your purpose and goals rather than validation from others. Instead of sprinting on someone else’s treadmill, start walking your own path.
“Chasing approval is a waste of energy. Trust your own path.” – Anonymous
So, I’ll end with the same question that started it all: If you woke up tomorrow with nothing left to prove and nothing left to chase, how would you spend your energy? Let me know.
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay