Francis Odeyemi writes a first-person and close-observer insights into what it feels like to build, succeed, and live as an entrepreneur. This piece reads like a meditation from someone deeply in tune with the journey of peers and themselves — rich in personal narrative and relatable to founders who’ve “made it,” or are chasing that moment. Excellent piece:
“What happens when you get everything you ever wanted — too early?
I know some of my friends in their early 30s — mostly between 32 and 35, and even some close to 40. A number of them became successful quite early, around 23 or 24. They got their dream cars, dream jobs, dream houses — basically, their dream lives.
Some of them are married now, some are single, and some are already living the kind of life many people still desire. But when we talk, I sometimes see how empty they feel. Some of them wish they hadn’t rushed through everything so quickly. They wish they had enjoyed the journey more — the process. Because at this stage of life, many of them feel like they no longer have anything to chase.
I can relate to that. I was recently talking with a friend who, at one point, worked at Meta — a time when I really wanted to join Meta myself. Now, he has just quit his job at Apple. I mean, Apple is a dream job for many people. But when he explained why he left, it hit me deeply.
And it’s not just a few people around me. Even on a global scale, this pattern shows up. I recently read about Vinay Hiremath, the co-founder of Loom. In 2023, he sold his company to Atlassian for nearly $1 billion. You’d think that kind of success would bring peace, clarity, or at least a sense of arrival. But in a blog post he wrote recently, he said something striking:
“I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life.”
He talked about how, after achieving what many dream of, life started to feel like a side quest. He turned down a $60M job offer, traveled, broke up with his long-time girlfriend, nearly died hiking the Himalayas, and moved to Hawaii to study physics — still searching for meaning. That really struck me. Because it shows that even when you “have it all,” it doesn’t necessarily mean you feel whole.
Here’s what I’ve come to realize:
As human beings, we are not designed to satisfy ourselves. Our souls are not made to be fulfilled by things we can see, touch, or achieve. Our souls can only be satisfied by what is eternal. And only Jesus can truly satisfy our souls.
At every phase of life, learn to enjoy it. Whatever stage of your career or personal journey you’re in, slow down enough to truly experience it. That doesn’t mean being lazy — work hard, love people, love Jesus. But also make that phone call to someone who matters, spend time with your parents, go out with your friends, visit that restaurant, read that book, take that vacation.
Enjoy this phase of life.
The more you do these things, the more you’ll feel alive and fulfilled. Sometimes, what we call delay is not delay at all — it could be God protecting us from what’s ahead or preparing us for something greater.
So in your current season, while you’re trusting God, give yourself the freedom to enjoy life. Stay grounded. And keep doing the things that help you live fully.“
© Francis Odeyemi
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