Beyond Hard Work.

I used to think success was all about climbing straight up a big, shiny ladder into the corner office. I’ve had enough birthdays to know that it's not so straightforward or straight upward. Reaching success is probably more like navigating a jungle gym than climbing a ladder, where you will find yourself sidestepping, stumbling, and even sliding back down. Those missteps don’t mean failure. They are part of the journey that doesn’t really get talked about enough. Even the lateral moves teach you something valuable that makes the whole climb worthwhile.

I remember my first real job. I thought working late, showing up early, and keeping my head down would impress everyone. And for a while, it worked. But eventually, I hit a point where the extra hours didn’t matter as much. That’s when I realized working harder is not enough. You need to be smart about where you put your energy. Without direction, hard work just leaves you feeling worn out and wondering why you haven’t moved forward.

Another part of reaching success comes from helping others achieve their goals. When you're trying to land that new job or big promotion, it’s easy to focus on what you want. But success often depends on addressing the goals of those who hold the keys to your next gate. Instead of thinking about what you stand to gain, try improving what you can offer. Show how you can help them make more money, solve challenges, and reach their targets. Shifting the focus of the conversation to what you can do for them will likely open more doors for you.

In the end, success is not just about putting in hours or following a single-track mindset. It’s about recognizing that progress comes in many forms, often from unexpected directions. The climb requires making smart moves, being patient, staying resilient, and flexible, and helping others whenever you can along the way. I hope you’ll see the rewarding complexity in the journey, even if today’s fortune makes it sound deceptively simple when it says, "To climb the ladder of success, work hard and you’ll reach it."