There Is No Finish Line

Life can feel a lot like one of those Greyhound dog races.

All the dogs are sprinting, chasing a mechanical rabbit they’re never going to catch. And the crowd cheers. But the truth is, that rabbit was never meant to be caught. It’s just there to keep the race going.

A lot of us live our lives the same way—believing that once we achieve our goal, everything will be okay. We’ll finally feel happy. Finally feel secure. Finally feel worthy.

But here’s the truth:
There is no finish line.

There is no magical moment when life gets “fixed.” No promotion, relationship, or number on the scale that will make all the pain go away.

Goals are great—I love them.
But they’re not destinations.
They’re stepping stones.
And if you mistake them for your salvation, they will break your heart.

When I Thought I “Made It”

I remember the first time I came to New York City to interview for The Rosie O’Donnell Show. I was laughed out of the room. Wearing a suit. Holding a briefcase. I felt like a joke.

As I left the building, dejected, someone invited me into the audience of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. It was magical. I even danced onstage during his warm-up, and he called me Mini-Harry Connick Jr. I swore to myself right then:

I will come back here. I will have my own show in this building.

Fast forward 20 years.

I’m sitting in the executive suite at 30 Rock across from the president of NBC. He says yes to a new talk show I pitched with Meredith Vieira.

And just like that… I was producing a show in the same studio where I once danced in the audience.

At first, it was a dream come true.

But then excitement turned into anxiety.

Instead of producing from joy and confidence, I was producing from fear.
I wasn’t celebrating—I was gripping. Afraid of losing it.

The Real Work Is Internal

This is what happens when you mistake a goal for healing.

You set out to lose 50 pounds, and the compliments keep you going. Then you hit the number, and suddenly… the praise stops. And so does your motivation.

You gain it all back.
Because what you really needed wasn’t weight loss.
It was validation.
Belonging.
Worth.

No external success can fill that hole.

Only you can.

So yes—set your goals. Chase them. Celebrate the wins.
Just don’t confuse them with your self-worth.

Because in life, there is no finish line.
There’s only the step you’re on.
Make sure it’s rooted in love—not lack.