🎙️ Truth About Happiness: Why It’s Not Just About the Money 🚀

Hey Thrivers!

I used to think that hitting big income goals was the secret to happiness and fulfillment.

But after building a multi seven-figure business and still feeling something was missing, I realized something crucial:

**Happiness isn’t just about the money.**

If you’re grinding day in and day out chasing revenue targets, but still feeling unfulfilled, this episode of The Lifestyle Business Quest Podcast is for you.

In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into:

❤️ Why money alone won’t make you happy (and what will)

❤️ The 4 practical steps to align your business with true fulfillment, freedom, and joy

❤️ Real-life stories from my clients who went from chasing dollars to creating lives they actually love

❤️ How to redefine success so it’s not just about numbers but about building a business that supports your ideal lifestyle

Whether you’re just starting out or already running a successful coaching business, this episode will help you focus on what really matters—building a life that feels good every step of the way.

Don’t let money be the only thing driving your decisions. Learn how to design a business that aligns with your values, brings you joy, and creates lasting impact.

See you on the episode!

Keep thriving,

- Travis

To Learn more about growing a Thriving Lifestyle Coaching Business, grab your FREE Masterclass Training Today! www.LifestyleBusinessQuest.com

Transcript

We all chase success—especially financial success—thinking that hitting those big income milestones will finally bring us happiness. But let me tell you, happiness isn’t just about the money. If you’re focusing only on the dollars, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Today, we’re diving deep into why true fulfillment goes far beyond financial goals. We’ll explore how to align your business with your purpose, build a lifestyle you genuinely love, and make an impact that gives you lasting happiness. I’ll start by sharing my own journey of building a seven-figure business and discovering the hard way that financial success doesn’t always lead to true happiness. Plus, I’ll introduce you to a few clients—Suzy, Holly, and Ron—who also learned that there’s much more to success than just the money.

If you’re ready to redefine success and find out what really matters on this journey, stick with me—this episode could change the way you look at your business and your life.

Welcome to the Lifestyle Business Quest Podcast! I’m Travis Greenlee, your host, and today we’re talking about something that’s absolutely crucial for anyone building a lifestyle business: the realization that happiness isn’t just about how much money you make.

Years ago, I was living what many would call the dream lifestyle. My business was making seven figures, I was skiing 100 days a year, traveling the world, and enjoying all the perks that financial freedom brings. But even with all of that, deep down, I felt like something was missing. I was constantly focused on hitting the next income goal, thinking that each new milestone would bring more happiness and fulfillment.

Then, the 2008 recession hit, and everything came crashing down. My once-thriving business took a massive hit, and I went from having a packed calendar to struggling to keep things afloat. It was a scary and humbling experience. But in the middle of all that stress and uncertainty, I had an epiphany: My happiness wasn’t tied to the money—I had been happiest when I was truly aligned with my purpose, helping others, and building something meaningful.

That’s when I shifted my focus. I stopped obsessing over revenue goals and instead doubled down on what really mattered—building a business that not only supported my financial needs but also gave me freedom, peace of mind, and the ability to make a real difference in the lives of others. Once I made that shift, everything changed. Not only did the financial success return, but this time it was deeply fulfilling because it was rooted in something much bigger than just the money.

Before we dive into the stories, I want to break down the four practical steps you can take to align your business with true happiness and fulfillment. These steps are simple, but they have a profound impact when implemented correctly.

Step 1. **Redefine Success:**
Most of us start out defining success by numbers—revenue goals, client counts, or income targets. But true success isn’t just about hitting financial milestones. It’s about creating a life that aligns with what you value most. Redefining success means asking yourself, “What does a truly successful day, week, or year look like for me?” It’s about designing a business that supports your ideal lifestyle rather than one that consumes it.

Step 2. **Do What You Love:**
This step is about focusing your time and energy on the activities that light you up and bring you joy. When you love what you do, work doesn’t feel like a grind. It becomes a source of energy. The key is identifying what you enjoy and structuring your business in a way that allows you to do more of that while outsourcing or automating the rest.

Step 3. **Prioritize Balance:**
Success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter and creating balance in your life. This step involves setting boundaries and designing a schedule that prioritizes your well-being, relationships, and personal growth. When you’re rested, fulfilled, and living a balanced life, you show up as your best self in your business.

Step 4. **Focus on Service and Impact:**
When you shift your mindset from making money to serving others and making a meaningful impact, everything changes. Leading with a heart of service not only attracts clients but also deepens your fulfillment. It’s about connecting with your “why” and letting that guide your business decisions.

Now, let me share some real-life stories that represent these steps in action.

Suzy came to me with one goal: to hit six figures. She believed that once she crossed that threshold, she’d finally be successful. And she did it—she built a thriving business and hit that six-figure mark. But shortly after, she realized that something was off. Suzy was constantly stressed and overwhelmed, and the success she’d been chasing didn’t feel as fulfilling as she imagined.

How did we apply the “Redefine Success” step? We sat down and redefined what success really meant for her. Instead of focusing solely on revenue, we asked questions like: *What do you want your daily routine to look like? How much time do you want to spend with your family? What activities bring you joy outside of work?*

Once we clarified that her version of success included more time freedom, space for creativity, and more time for personal hobbies, we shifted her business model to match that vision. This meant reducing the number of clients she worked with while increasing her prices and introducing more scalable offerings like group programs. By redefining success, Suzy was able to build a business that supports the lifestyle she truly loves, without sacrificing her peace of mind.

Start by asking yourself, “What does success really look like for me?” Write down your ideal day from morning to evening, not just in terms of work, but in terms of your life as a whole. Then evaluate your current business model and see if it aligns with that vision. If it doesn’t, consider how you can adjust your offerings, pricing, and schedule to better support your definition of success.

Jake was a high-energy coach who loved working with clients but found himself drowning in tasks he hated—like managing tech, handling admin work, and constantly chasing leads. He was losing his passion and felt burnt out.

We applied the “Do What You Love” step by identifying the activities that drained him versus the ones that energized him. Jake realized he loved coaching and creating content but dreaded everything else. So, we automated his lead generation with systems that nurtured prospects on autopilot and hired a virtual assistant to handle the admin work.

Now, Jake spends 80% of his time doing what he’s passionate about, and his business is thriving because he’s operating from a place of joy and energy.

So, here’s how to apply this to your life and business:

Take inventory of your daily tasks. Divide them into two columns: tasks you love and tasks you dread. For the tasks you dread, explore options for outsourcing, delegating, or automating them. This might mean hiring a virtual assistant, using software tools to automate processes, or even letting go of services that don’t align with your passion.

 3 **Prioritize Balance - Holly’s Story and How to Apply It:**

Holly was all about the hustle. She was working 60-hour weeks, constantly pushing herself to hit bigger goals. But her health was suffering, her relationships were strained, and she felt constantly exhausted.

The “Prioritize Balance” step came into play when we restructured her schedule. We implemented non-negotiables like weekly date nights, regular exercise, and daily downtime. At first, she felt guilty about stepping away from work, but as she leaned into this balanced lifestyle, her energy returned, and her creativity soared. Surprisingly, her business performance improved as well.

**How You Can Apply It:**

Start by setting boundaries around your work hours. Choose specific days and times for personal activities—like family time, exercise, or hobbies—and treat them as non-negotiable. Incorporate small breaks throughout your day and be intentional about unplugging from work during evenings and weekends. A balanced lifestyle isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for long-term success and happiness.

 4. **Focus on Service and Impact - Ron’s Story and How to Apply It:**

Ron was a corporate executive who transitioned into coaching with the goal of replacing his high salary. He was focused on earning multiple six figures and reached that goal quickly. But as his business grew, he felt something was missing.

We applied the “Focus on Service and Impact” step by reconnecting Ron with his deeper mission. We asked, “Why did you start this business in the first place?” For Ron, it was about helping others achieve freedom and fulfillment. Once he shifted his focus from just making money to making a difference, everything clicked. He started mentoring younger coaches and even created a scholarship program to support those who couldn’t afford high-ticket coaching. Not only did this reignite his passion, but his business also grew because clients could

 sense his genuine commitment to their success.

**How You Can Apply It:**

Take some time to reflect on your “why.” Ask yourself, “What’s the impact I want to make in the world? Who do I want to help, and how can I serve them at the highest level?” Reframe your business strategy to prioritize service and contribution. This might mean offering free value through workshops, creating resources that help your audience, or finding ways to give back to your community. When you lead with service, the rewards—both financial and emotional—will follow naturally.

To recap, here are the four practical steps you can take to align your business with true happiness and fulfillment:

1. **Redefine Success:** Define what a truly fulfilling life looks like for you and build your business around that vision.
2. **Do What You Love:** Identify the activities that bring you joy and structure your business so you can do more of that while delegating or automating the rest.
3. **Prioritize Balance:** Create a schedule that prioritizes your well-being and relationships. Balance isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for long-term success.
4. **Focus on Service and Impact:** Lead with a heart of service. When your business is driven by making a positive difference, fulfillment and financial success naturally follow.

The key to success and happiness isn’t in grinding endlessly or chasing arbitrary goals. It’s about designing your business and lifestyle in a way that aligns with your values, brings you joy, and allows you to make a meaningful impact.

As we wrap up, I want to leave you with this: Don’t let money be the only thing driving your business decisions. While financial freedom is important, it’s not the whole picture. True success is about aligning your business with your purpose, making an impact, and living a life that genuinely brings you joy.

When you focus on what truly matters, everything else—including the financial goals—will fall into place. Remember, it’s not just about the money; it’s about building a life you love.

Thank you for tuning in to today’s episode of The Lifestyle Business Quest Podcast. If you’re ready to take the next step toward creating a business that aligns with your purpose and gives you both the freedom and fulfillment you deserve, I’d love for you to grab my free Masterclass at lifestylebusinessquest.com. In it, I’ll share our exact 5 proven steps to growing a thriving $250,000 lifestyle coaching business.

Until next time, keep moving forward, stay true to your values, and remember—success is about more than just the money. It’s about living a life that feels good every step of the way.