“Always more”: what if more is no longer the right direction?

“Madame plus plus” is my nickname. The one who always wants more revenue, more projects, more surpassing of limits. This first half of the year ended with a record — and yet, looking at those numbers, I felt something strange: the joy was not there. Not really.

When always more is no longer enough

Since childhood, I have been driven by this feeling: always go further, do better. In the name of others’ recognition at first. And also because I felt most alive when the effort was intense.

Until the day when “always more” stopped creating lasting joy. Something had changed. And two CEO clients helped me name what it was.

What two CEOs changed in my thinking

The first told me: “This year, my question is no longer how much I generate — it is how I will hand over the healthiest possible company when the time comes.”

The second: “My focus is no longer EBIT growth — it is how to anticipate the diversification of our niche market and invest ahead of others.”

Both had replaced “more” with a direction. Not less. Differently.

My compass for the second half

I did the same exercise. This semester I facilitated a conference for the leaders of an insurance company — small budget, improvised logistics, immense joy. I am pro bono coaching three women who want to bring a new project to life. No revenue attached. Just the sensation of feeling complete.

I added two directions to my compass: the joy of encounter and the impact of transmission. Not instead of ambition. Alongside it.