Success is a Trap—Here’s How to Escape It

by Nikita Johnson
View the authors Profile

You built your business for freedom, right? To do meaningful work, have impact, be in control of your own schedule, to live life on your terms. But instead of having that guilt free day off whenever you feel like it, you’re drowning in emails, second-guessing yourself, and wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea.

Let’s be honest, entrepreneurship can be a bit of a rollercoaster (to say the least! ????). One minute, you’re on top of the world. The next, you’re convinced everyone will find out you have no idea what you’re doing. (Spoiler: Everyone else feels like this too...I promise!)

Why Do Successful People Feel Stuck?
Because no one talks about this part of success. The part where you’ve built something amazing, but now you feel trapped by it. You’ve done everything ‘right’ - but you still feel off. Imposter syndrome creeps in. The to-do list never ends. And somewhere along the way, you lost the confidence and energy you once had. Not to mention the passion and motivation. 

I know this because I’ve been there. I’ve built businesses, led teams, made big decisions—and still found myself wondering, Is this it?

For years, I powered through, telling myself that pushing harder was the answer. 'Hard work pays off' and all that. That if I just worked more, figured out the right strategy, got through my never-ending to-do list, I’d feel better. But instead, I hit a wall. A hard one. Burnout crept in, stealing not just my energy but my passion for the work I once loved. I lost sight of why I started in the first place.

It didn’t just affect me - it affected my business. My ability to think clearly, plan for the future, and make decisions started slipping. Instead of leading with confidence, I was just trying to keep my head above water. And that was the scariest part—realising that I was the bottleneck in my own success.

That was the wake-up call I needed. I knew something had to change, but it wasn’t about another productivity hack or mindset trick. It was about redefining what success meant to me and creating a business (and life) that actually worked for me, not against me. That is why I now do what I do. I really really don't want to see other entrepreneurs go through the same thing as I did.

The Secret to Feeling Like You Again
It’s not about productivity hacks or pushing through. It’s about clarity, confidence, and reconnecting with what actually lights you up.

As an accredited Transformative Coach, I work with ambitious founders, CEOs, and business owners who want to:

* Ditch imposter syndrome and feel like a leader again (instead of a very tired imposter).
* Get unstuck and figure out their next move—whether that’s scaling, pivoting, or taking a much-needed breath.
* Reignite their energy and motivation so work feels exciting again, not like an endurance sport.
* Create success on their terms (because what’s the point of freedom if you’re still a prisoner to your business?).

The Reality
You don’t need another ‘how to be productive’ article. You need a real conversation about what’s actually holding you back. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start leading with confidence again, then please reach out. 

Book a free discovery call with me today—because burnout isn’t a badge of honour.