“Making It”

A Myth for Creators and Investors Alike

Over the weekend, someone asked me a question I’ve been asked countless times before: “Do you feel like you’ve made it?”

It’s a loaded question, because if you’re a creator—or even an investor—there’s no real endpoint. No finish line. No moment when you can definitively say, “Yes, I’ve arrived.” The truth is, you simply go on to the next project, the next idea, the next investment. Making it is an illusion.

Take creators, for example. Writers, musicians, filmmakers, designers—they’re never done. Every success fuels the desire to create something new, better, more meaningful. You never stop. Every project completed only becomes the starting point for the next challenge. That’s the nature of creation: perpetual motion, driven by curiosity, passion, and ambition.

Investors face a similar paradox. Consider someone like Warren Buffett. On the surface, he “has made it”—a legend in the financial world, among the richest people alive. Yet even someone like Buffett looks at peers such as Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk and measures success in relative terms. There’s always someone doing bigger, faster, or differently—and even the wealthiest people still have desires, goals, and ambitions that drive them forward.

And then there’s the cost of “making it.” The first thing many assume comes with enormous wealth or fame is freedom—but in reality, it’s often the opposite. The richest individuals can’t walk down the street unnoticed. Their daily lives are measured in security, logistics, and public scrutiny. Even if you “have it all,” life can be restricted in ways most people never consider.

Psychologically, this speaks to a deeper truth: the idea of “making it” is highly subjective and rooted in what psychologists call intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic markers—money, fame, recognition—can be measured, but they don’t necessarily provide fulfillment. Intrinsic motivation—the satisfaction of solving a problem, creating something meaningful, or achieving personal growth—is what drives real happiness. When you focus on intrinsic rewards, the idea of “making it” fades, because the journey itself becomes the reward.

In the end, “making it” isn’t about a title, a bank account, or public acclaim. It’s about clarity in what you truly want from life. It’s about knowing your goals, understanding your values, and pursuing them relentlessly. Some creators want recognition, others want impact, and some simply want to continue building. All of it is valid. The measure of success isn’t a moment—it’s alignment between your actions and your desires.

So the next time someone asks if you’ve “made it,” remember: making it isn’t a destination—it’s a mindset. It’s the relentless pursuit of what matters to you, the courage to keep creating, and the clarity to define your own version of success. Because if you’re chasing someone else’s idea of “made it,” you’ll never find it.