Imagine this: You’ve just sold your business. The hustle, the sleepless nights, and the relentless drive have paid off. You’re financially free. No more worrying about payroll or chasing the next big deal. Yet, amidst this newfound success, you’re left asking yourself a question you never thought you’d face: What do I do now? Just like every exited entrepreneur, you are in need of good advice after selling a business.
That’s exactly where Steven Bartlett found himself after stepping away from his company. What came next wasn’t a business plan, a new investment, or even a vacation. It was a single piece of advice from a mentor that changed everything.
The Best Advice After Selling A Business
Steven Bartlett, founder of Social Chain and host of Diary of a CEO, shares how his mentor and friend, Shakil Khan, gave him advice that was as unexpected as it was transformative. Shakil, an early investor in Spotify and a seasoned entrepreneur, didn’t suggest jumping into the next big thing. Instead, he urged Steven to do something profoundly difficult: nothing.
“The reason you were successful was because you were hungry” Shak told him. “You need to realize that you’re no longer hungry for the same reasons.”
Steven’s instinct was to dive headfirst into another venture. But Shakil’s advice was clear: spend a year doing absolutely nothing. No new businesses. No new ventures. Just time to reflect, recharge, and rediscover what truly inspires you.
Extra Resource: Beyond the Sale: Navigating Life After Exiting Your Business
Why Doing Nothing Is So Hard—And So Powerful
For high-achievers like Steven, the idea of stepping back feels counterintuitive. The same drive that propels someone to build a multimillion-dollar business often makes them uncomfortable with stillness. But Shakil’s advice wasn’t about being idle. In fact, it was all about recalibrating.
Steven’s success had been fueled by hunger: the drive of an “insecure kid” fighting to survive. With financial freedom achieved, that hunger needed a new source. Shakil’s wisdom lay in recognizing that rushing into another venture without this recalibration could lead to burnout or, worse, mediocrity.
Extra Resource: How To Avoid Depression After Selling A Business
“The hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life was nothing” Steven admits. But in that space of stillness, he found something invaluable: clarity.
Finding Your Moonshot After Selling A Business
After months of reflection, Steven’s path forward became clear. Shakil’s second piece of advice was just as impactful as the first: “You need to take on a moonshot.”
A moonshot isn’t just a new project; it’s a goal so big, so audacious, that it reignites your passion and forces you to grow beyond your current limits. For Steven, this meant identifying a challenge that was sufficiently terrifying and exhilarating; something that would make him feel hungry again.
How This Advice Applies To You
Whether you’ve sold your business, hit a major milestone, or simply feel stuck, the lessons from Steven’s story are universal. Here’s how you can apply them:
1. Take Time To Reflect
If you’re used to constant hustle, stillness can feel like failure. But taking time to pause is essential. Reflection allows you to:
- Reassess your goals.
- Identify what truly inspires you.
- Avoid rushing into something that doesn’t align with your values.
2. Redefine Your Hunger
The motivation that fueled your past success might not work for your next chapter. And that’s okay. Success is about evolving your “why” as your circumstances change.
Action Step: Write down your new definition of success. What excites you now? What scares you (in a good way)?
3. Find Your Moonshot
A moonshot isn’t just a big goal; it’s a goal that challenges you to think differently and take bold risks. It’s the kind of challenge that reignites your fire.
Action Step: Brainstorm three big, audacious goals that excite and terrify you. Then pick one to pursue.
Extra Resource: What’s Your Moonshot? by Sanei, John
The Courage To Sit Still And Do Nothing
Steven’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best move is no move at all. By resisting the urge to jump into another venture, he gave himself the space to discover what truly mattered. And in doing so, he set the stage for his next big adventure; one fueled by passion, purpose, and a renewed hunger.
So, if you’re at a crossroads, take a page from Steven Bartlett’s playbook. Be brave enough to sit still. And when you’re ready, aim for the moon.
Extra Resource: How To Help Your Team Thrive After You Exit
Your Next Step After Selling Your Business
The best advice after selling a business, is to do nothing. Take time to reflect. Your next big breakthrough might just come from the courage to pause.
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