The Sacrifices of a Dreamer: When Success Comes at a Cost

We've all heard the saying, 'It's lonely at the top.' From my experience, I can tell you it's true

As a leader often called to solve critical maintenance, quality, or productivity issues, I’ve had to leave at a moment’s notice. There’s no time to reschedule family plans or explain the full urgency. It’s time to get on a plane or into the car and head to wherever the fire needs to be put out.

It’s a role I take seriously. But the truth is, this responsibility comes with a cost.

The Moments You Miss

The cost isn’t paid in dollars—it’s paid in missed memories.

I’ve missed ballet performances, violin recitals, school presentations. Events that only happen once in a child’s life. My wife, always supportive, would record them for me. But the truth is: my daughter would see her mom there… and sometimes, not her dad.

And even though you try to compensate—with gifts, with vacations, with promises—the reality is that the moment is gone.

One day, your child may look at you with love but also with hurt in their voice and say, “You missed a lot, Dad.”

And they’re right.

The Weight of Leadership

There’s an invisible weight that comes with being “the one who fixes things.” The leader. The dependable one. The one who always gets the call when things go wrong.

"You earned that title, fought for it, and proved yourself over and over again."

But leadership has its price. And sometimes, it means being torn between two worlds—both of which matter deeply.

At work, you’re celebrated for being decisive and committed.

At home, you wonder if your success is built on a trail of absences.

There's No Perfect Balance

I used to believe I could have it all. That with enough effort, I could succeed at work and still be present for every milestone at home. But the truth is, you can’t have it all—at least not all at once.

Every choice has a trade-off. Every path you take leads to something gained… and something lost.

The Road of a Dreamer

The Road of a Dreamer is not a straight highway. It winds through bustling airports and lonely hotel rooms. It passes through birthday parties missed and late-night calls home. It splits in unexpected places, and whichever way you go, there are sacrifices.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

While you can’t go back and rewrite the past, you can be honest about it. You can grow from it. And you can share it.

Because someone else, somewhere, is facing that same choice today.

To All the Dreamers Out There

If you’ve ever had to say, “I’m sorry I can’t be there,”

If you’ve ever driven away from your child’s school with tears in your eyes,

If you’ve ever felt the sting of success because it came with absence…

Know this: You’re not alone.

Keep dreaming. Keep striving. But never forget what matters most.

Because at the end of every road, it’s the people waiting for us at home who make the journey worthwhile.