Most people assume the most dangerous week of the year is the holidays. Too much food, too many commitments, too little structure.
In business, the most dangerous week is often far quieter.
It’s the week after you hit a milestone.
A sudden jump in revenue.
A major team win.
A new hire finally settling in and producing.
A project that lands cleanly after weeks of pressure.
It feels good and it should. Celebrate the win. Acknowledge the effort. Let the team breathe.
Then pay attention.
Because success has a side effect I see far more often than burnout: the success hangover.
It’s subtle. It sounds like:
- “We’ve got this now.”
- “We’ve turned the corner.”
- “Momentum will carry us.”
Momentum doesn’t carry itself. Systems carry momentum.
This is where companies quietly stall; not because they failed, because they succeeded… and then coasted.
Progress creates comfort. Comfort creates looseness. And looseness creates drift.
So what’s the cure?
Before the end of today, define one system you will strengthen because you’ve won.
Not later, when things get hectic again. Not “when the quarter slows down.” Now while you still have clarity, confidence, and proof that your actions work.
Ask yourself:
- What part of this win was luck and what part was repeatable?
- What was stressful and improvised that needs to become structured?
- What did we learn that must be documented?
- What must we tighten so the next win costs less energy?
Success is not a sign to relax.
It’s a signal to build.
Because action beats dithering every single time. And action after success is often the difference between real growth and sliding right back into the comfort zone that keeps businesses small.
Choose wisely. Your next level depends on what you do after the applause.