Landing in a Different World
I just got back from a week in Dubai, and honestly, it’s hard to compare it to anywhere else. Two decades ago, this place was a forgotten Army outpost in the sand. Now? Everything is pristine, oversized, and built to impress. Skyscrapers popping up like weeds, islands shaped like palm trees, shopping centers that make American malls look like convenience stores. It feels a bit like Las Vegas (without the casinos) and a turbocharged Miami – but even bolder. And stepping outside? The heat and humidity are a full-on assault.
Years ago, I would’ve eaten it up. At 35, I was all energy – chasing the buzz, collecting achievements, convincing myself that busyness equaled worth. At 45, I was still grinding, still measuring myself by what I did, not who I was. But standing there now, at 56, I felt like an observer in someone else’s movie. The city’s energy is electric, but there’s anxiety humming beneath the surface, too.
The Hustle Capital
If you want to see hustle culture in its final form, go to Dubai. Every corner, every café, every conversation is about closing deals, pitching new ideas, landing the next big thing. It’s the Olympics of status and speed. There’s a sense that if you’re not moving, you’re losing. Everyone’s “on” – even the expats compete to see who’s living the bigger, shinier version of “success.”
It’s infectious, I’ll give it that. I had to check myself more than once – am I missing out? Should I be doing more, pushing harder, chasing after…what, exactly? But I caught myself, too. I’ve changed. The drive that once looked like ambition now sometimes feels like a subtle form of anxiety in disguise.
The Shift: What I Noticed About Myself
A week in this relentless environment left no doubt: I’ve opted out of the rat race. There was a time when I needed the chaos. I lived for the adrenaline rush, the endless to-do list, the validation that came from always having something “big” in the works.
After I stepped away from the CEO treadmill, sold my company, and finally gave myself permission to design my own days, I realized how much all that hustle had actually cost me: time with the people I love, clarity, peace, and genuine fulfillment. You can fill your calendar and still feel empty.
Now, I’m far more interested in depth over motion. I want to learn for the sake of learning, not just for the next LinkedIn brag. I want to spend afternoons practicing drums, reading, or walking – not chasing after whatever comes next.
Dubai made me face a simple truth: it wasn’t the grind that made me successful. It’s what I gained after I walked away from it.
Redefining Success – On My Own Terms
Dubai is the global headquarters for “more” – money, status, luxury. But after living it, and walking away from it, I can say with certainty: More is not better. Better is better.
My version of “winning” today?
- Waking up when I’m ready, reading something that actually stretches my brain.
- Prioritizing my health and moving my body because it feels good, not because it’s on my to-do list.
- Diving into new skills (even if I’m mediocre at them for a while).
- Taking my time over coffee with Michelle, instead of rushing into the next “important” thing.
- Having the guts to say “no” to things that don’t really matter to me.
I’ve been spending time with Marcus Aurelius and Stoic philosophy. The main lesson: focus on what you can control, and don’t waste your life performing for other people’s approval. In Dubai, you see exactly what happens when everyone’s playing by someone else’s scoreboard. It’s dazzling, but honestly, it looks exhausting.
Do I still like nice things, travel, ambition? Of course. But now it has to mean something to me, not just look impressive on Instagram. I’d rather feel rich than look rich – and there’s a massive difference.
The Real Flex
So here’s the question the Dubai hustle culture forced me to wrestle with, and maybe it’s a good one for you too:
Where in your life are you chasing “more” just because it’s what everyone else wants? When’s the last time you asked if it’s actually better, not just bigger?
You don’t need to buy a one-way ticket to Dubai – or fill your driveway with sports cars – to play the status game. Most of us are doing it unconsciously, whether it’s in business, health, relationships, or even our travel choices.
Here’s the counterintuitive truth: sometimes, the smartest move isn’t to push harder, but to slow down. Maybe the next level isn’t about flexing, but about appreciating what’s already good.
That’s not giving up. That’s what real ambition looks like after you’ve seen the other side.
Ready to talk about what “better” actually means for you? Let’s connect.
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