While working last week I had a Spotify playlist churning some great songs from the 1980s (showing my age!). Prince’s Purple Rain came on and it reminded me of a quote I read a few years ago:
“I said to him, “Come on, man—don’t you want to make another Sign o’ the Times, another Purple Rain?” I don’t know if I framed it exactly like that, but he said, “No, no—Jim, I’ve been to the mountaintop. There’s nothing there.”
— Jim Walsh (Minneapolis journalist who would later cover Prince for many years)
This is such a profound response to a question which basically asked Prince to keep churning our hit after hit based on the formula that delivered initial success. I’ve always felt that Prince’s words could be suitably applied in business and professional endeavours as they challenge our assumptions about success, ambition, and fulfilment in ways that resonate far beyond the world of music. As business owners and professionals, we’re often told to strive for our own mountaintops: Record-breaking revenue, number of employees, industry accolades, the perfect exit strategy. But what happens when you reach those peaks and find, as Prince did, that they don’t hold the meaning you expected?
When we are thinking about what our goals are in 2025, business and personal, here are a few business and life lessons I unpacked from this quote.
The Fallacy of External Validation
Prince’s “mountaintop” wasn’t just one landmark achievement; Purple Rain sold 25 millions copies and was one of the best selling albums of all time. However, his career continued and evolved; in my opinion some of the late 90s stuff wasn’t at the same level, but it was undeniably different, experimental and groundbreaking. His comment reveals an important truth: External success doesn’t necessarily equate to internal satisfaction.
In our business lives, it’s easy to tie our worth solely to metrics like revenue growth or accolades. Very important obviously, but if your motivation comes solely from hitting those external markers, you risk burnout or a sense of emptiness when you achieve them. True fulfilment comes from doing work that aligns with your values, not just from the recognition it brings.
The Power of Reinvention
Prince’s refusal to replicate his past success was a testament to his commitment to reinvention. He wasn’t interested in creating art that was commercially or critically “safe.” Instead, he continually pushed boundaries, exploring new sounds, styles, and identities. In your company, this mindset is crucial. If we continue to cling to what worked in the past we will prevent innovation. Whether it’s a legacy product, an outdated business model, or even a specific client base, staying in your comfort zone can stifle long-term growth. The most successful companies we work with aren’t afraid to evolve, and are always seeking to make improvements and marginal gains, even if it means letting go.
Success Isn’t a Destination
Prince’s reflection reminds us that success is fleeting if treated as a destination. The “mountaintop” is often portrayed as a place where everything suddenly makes sense—where you’ll feel complete. But the reality, as Prince discovered, is that it’s just another point on the journey.
“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” – Andy Rooney
In both life and business, the process almost always matters more than the outcome. Just ask yourself now: are you enjoying the climb? Are you getting excited and feeling challenged about building something sustainable and meaningful, or are you chasing a single moment that will most likely leave you wanting more and afraid of what to do next? The climb is the teacher.
The Courage to Walk Away
Prince’s response also speaks to the courage it takes to walk away from expectations, especially those imposed by others. It’s not easy to say, “I don’t need to do this again,” especially when people expect you to deliver a repeat performance. This lesson applies to letting go of projects, clients, or even entire business strategies that no longer serve you. The courage to pivot or quit isn’t failure—it’s bravery built on wisdom.
Fulfilment Lies in the Work, Not the Reward
Prince didn’t stop creating after reaching his proverbial mountaintop; he just shifted his focus, exploring new sounds and styles. His later work might not have achieved the same level of fame as Purple Rain, but it was no less meaningful to him. This is a powerful reminder that the work itself, via the act of creating, building, or contributing, is the reward. When you focus on mastering your craft or serving your purpose, you cultivate a sense of fulfilment that no accolade can replace.
Define Your Own Goals
Prince’s words challenge us to reconsider what success truly means. The mountain, whether it’s a career goal, a creative project, or a personal challenge is never about the peak. It’s about the person you become and the experiences you gain along the way.
Final Thought
For you as business owners, this story invites a key question: When you are defining your 2025 goals and what your business is going to deliver are you taking it beyond the mountain peak and considering what this means for you, what happens next and what else you will start to create once these targets are met? Perhaps the greatest success is embracing the forward motion of life and trusting that the journey itself will provide the clarity we seek.
“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
– Soren Kierkegaard
That’s it from me for now. If you want to get the latest in strategy, ops and musings from me, sign up to our weekly newsletter.
Have a good one,
Niall McGinnity
CEO @ Nuvem9
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