For most of my adult life, I’ve lived by the builder’s rhythm: set a vision, recruit a team, raise the money, sell the idea, refine the pitch, grind through the uncertainty, and build something from scratch that didn’t exist before. I’ve felt the rush of startup wins, the heartbreak of near-misses, and the constant hum of “what’s next?”

But lately, something has shifted.

I’m still in the game. I still get excited about AI breakthroughs and emerging tech — the kind that doesn’t just automate tasks but opens up entirely new ways of thinking. I still take calls about early-stage companies with something special under the hood. And yes, I still ask a lot of questions (old habits die hard).

But I’m no longer chasing the next thing in the same way. I’m not trying to start another company. I’m not measuring my worth by my calendar or my closing ratio. What’s driving me now is different.

It’s curiosity — and connection.

On the professional side, I’m drawn to companies with interesting problems and real-world impact, where I can plug in as a contributor, not as a founder. I like helping products find their market, sales teams sharpen their narrative, and partnerships actually work. It’s rewarding to bring decades of startup experience to bear without the weight of having to captain the ship every time.

On the personal side, I’m soaking up more time with people I love. I’m walking slower (literally and figuratively). I’m letting conversations stretch out. I’m booking fewer flights and more dinners. I’m not worried about optimizing every hour; I’m focused on making more memories worth holding onto.

For the first time in a long while, I feel both engaged and at ease.

This isn’t a retirement note. It’s a rebalancing act. I still want to be useful. I still want to learn. I still want to help smart people build things that matter. But I also want to be present — not just productive.If you’re in a similar season or heading toward one, I’d love to compare notes. Because maybe the next stage isn’t about what you’re building — maybe it’s about how you’re being.

(Disclosure: I’ve been experimenting with using ChatGPT to help refine my writing. I created the original draft of this post, and then collaborated with ChatGPT to tighten the final version. I’m genuinely impressed by how much it elevated the clarity and flow.)