EP 245 - Summit Your Current Mountain: Dustin Wells on Focus, Fulfillment, and the Climb of Leadership

Dustin Wells isn’t just an experienced tech entrepreneur — he’s a guide for leaders looking to rediscover purpose in the peaks and valleys of business and life. With over two decades in tech and a successful exit under his belt, Dustin has learned to measure success not only in valuations but in clarity, impact, and joy. In Episode 245 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Dustin shared a message written in bold blue ink: “Summit your current mountain.” 

This deceptively simple statement holds transformative weight. It’s not just about climbing higher — it’s about finishing the climb you’re on. In a culture obsessed with constant reinvention and the next big thing, Dustin’s wisdom is a powerful reminder that what’s in front of you right now deserves your full attention, effort, and heart. 

“I almost didn’t sell. I had no plans to sell,” Dustin says, recalling the unexpected opportunity to exit the company he founded. “But when I did, it was the first time in years I could hear myself think.” 

That moment of clarity didn’t come easily. Like many founders, Dustin had tied his identity to his company. Stepping away forced him to confront the truth: even success can become a trap if you’re not fully present in the journey. 

Throughout the episode, Dustin opens up about the transition from founder to free agent — a phase marked not by absence, but by deeper exploration. “What was fascinating,” he shares, “was how much of my day was about responding to others. After I exited, I had to rediscover what I wanted to do.” 

That rediscovery is at the heart of his message. "Summit your current mountain" isn’t about escapism. It’s about going all the way with what you’ve started. “Don’t quit halfway. Don’t build a bridge and walk away before it connects. Get to the top, see the view, learn the lesson — then decide what’s next.” 

His story isn’t just about tech or exits. It’s about agency. About being deliberate. About noticing when you're climbing someone else’s mountain — or worse, running in circles at the base of your own. 

“What I learned is that there's joy in the hard things — if you're doing the right hard thing.” 

In a world that glorifies hustle and pivots, Dustin invites us into a different rhythm: one that values completion, reflection, and intentional transition. 

5 Key Takeaways from Dustin Wells 

1. Finish What You Start — Fully 

“If you’re halfway up a mountain and decide to stop, you don’t get the view. You don’t get the lesson.” 

🧭 Take Action: Identify one major initiative or relationship in your life that you’ve left incomplete. Recommit to seeing it through — or consciously close the loop. 

2. Let Silence Speak 

“I didn’t realize how noisy my life was until I had a moment to just… listen.” 

🧘 Take Action: Block 30 minutes this week for uninterrupted reflection — no agenda, no distractions. Listen to what your inner voice is telling you. 

3. Don’t Outsource Your Identity to Your Work 

“Who are you when you're not the founder, the CEO, the operator?” 

🪞 Take Action: Journal about your identity beyond your job title. What values, joys, or passions define you outside of work? 

4. Embrace the Power of Choice 

“You can choose to stay, to go, to rest, to climb — but make it a choice, not a reaction.” 

🎯 Take Action: Review your current obligations. Are you choosing them or just reacting to momentum? Make at least one intentional change. 

5. The Next Mountain Can Wait 

“Climb this one first. Feel the summit. Then you’ll know what’s next.” 

⛰️ Take Action: Pause the chase for “what’s next” until you’ve fully processed where you are. Celebrate completion before setting new goals. 

Dustin Wells is an executive advisor, founder, and former CEO with two successful exits. He now supports leaders in finding clarity, calm, and capacity in their businesses and lives. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. 

If Dustin’s message struck a chord with you, here’s your challenge: write your own mountain on a napkin — then commit to summiting it. Post it with #PaperNapkinWisdom and inspire someone else to climb with intention. 

🗻 What’s your current mountain? Let us know.