One of my close friends joined a startup a few years back that had already hit that Unicorn status of being valued over $1B. After about eighteen months, they were burnt out beyond belief. Today, that startup is valued at over $4B. Their equity would have gone through the roof if they had stayed even just another year.
So did they make the right decision? 100% they did.
A former leader of mine once said to me, "Never hang around for money. Go after opportunities that bring you fulfillment and joy. Money is always available. You can make it anywhere, but protecting your happiness and sanity is first and foremost."
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Money comes and goes, but I've seen people lose weight, gain weight, their hair fall out, their skin change color, and remain in a constant state of sickness for months as a result of being in a company that doesn't align with their values. Oftentimes, they are staying just because of the money or the potential for money. I get it, we all chase money in some form or shape, but when your happiness and health are at odds with it, it's time to prioritize yourself.
I've sat across from too many people who try to convince themselves it's "just a season." Just one more quarter. Just one more vest. Just one more bonus cycle and then I'll make a move. Meanwhile, their energy is shot, they're snapping at people they care about, and the version of themselves they actually like has quietly disappeared somewhere along the way.
The math starts to look ridiculous when you zoom out. You're trading your health, your patience, your presence at home, all for a number on a statement that you haven't even realized yet. That number feels real in your head, but your day-to-day experience is very real too, and it's not exactly trending in the right direction.
I'm not telling you to ignore money. That would be naive. Money creates options, and options are powerful. It lets you make bold decisions, take risks, and give yourself breathing room. The problem shows up when money becomes the only lens you're using to evaluate your life, as if everything else is just collateral damage you're willing to accept.
There's a difference between pushing through something hard that's aligned with where you want to go and grinding yourself into the ground for something that doesn't even feel like you anymore. One builds you. The other slowly strips you down while you try to justify it with spreadsheets and future projections.
At some point, you have to ask yourself a simple question that most people avoid. If nothing about this situation had changed except the money, would I still choose to be here? If the answer is no, you already know what's going on. Now it's just a matter of whether you're willing to do something about it.