10 Career Truths You Can't Afford to Ignore 🙉

"Harvey, you're just not good enough," my old music teacher Mr. Clough sneered at me, his words dripping with disdain.

I was 15, failing at school, and about to embark on a journey that would take me from being a roadie earning £5 and a bag of chips to Vice President of a global company.

The irony? That teacher's harsh judgment became the fuel that drove me forward. Not because I wanted to prove him wrong (okay, maybe a little), but because I learned early on that other people's opinions of your potential mean absolutely nothing.

As we settle into 2025, I've reflected on what drives career success.

Not the fluffy motivational quotes you see on LinkedIn, but the brass-tacks truth nobody talks about in polite company.

Here's what 40 years in business has taught me:

Your Fear is Your Biggest Enemy.

Remember when I first stepped into Microsoft's offices for my Xbox interview? I was terrified. But that fear wasn't telling me to run away. It was signalling that I was about to do something meaningful.

The most successful people I've met aren't fearless. They're just better at recognising that fear is often a compass pointing toward growth.

Talent is Overrated (Seriously).

I have seen incredibly talented bands fail in the music business while seemingly average ones succeed. Talent without graft is like a Ferrari without fuel—it looks great but goes nowhere.

The Smalltown Heroes were among the most talented bands I've worked with, but talent alone wasn't enough. It was their relentless work ethic that got them noticed.

Nobody's Coming to Save You.

When I managed bands, I learned quickly that waiting to be "discovered" is a mug's game. The same applies in corporate life. Nobody is sitting in their office thinking, "I wonder if there's an undiscovered superstar out there waiting for my call?"

You have to position yourself for success. That means being visible, taking risks, and sometimes making people uncomfortable with your ambition.

Your Network is Your Net Worth.

While at Xbox, I learned that your professional network isn't just about who you know - it's about who knows what you can do. The smartest people I've worked with weren't afraid to ask for help or admit what they didn't know.

The "I Know Enough" Trap.

The moment you think you know enough is the moment your career starts dying.

I've seen it happen countless times. The technology executive who refused to learn about digital transformation. The marketing director who dismissed social media as a fad. They're probably both working as consultants now, wondering what happened.

The Brutal Truth.

Our competition isn’t other people - it's our excuses. It's that voice saying, "I'll start tomorrow" or "I'm not ready yet."

5 things you can do right now: 🙌

1. Identify your fear and run towards it. What's the one thing you're avoiding because it scares you?

2. Audit your skills honestly. Where are you strong? Where do you need improvement?

3. Make yourself visible. Contribute to meetings, share your expertise, write articles.

4. Start building your network before you need it. Reach out to one new person this week.

5. Learn something new. Pick one skill you need for your next career move and start working on it.

Remember, annual resolutions or five-year plans don't change your career. It's changed by what you decide to do today, tomorrow, and every day after.

Keep on rockin'!

Harvey.

My Career Accelerator is fully booked!

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The PMMCA launches in the UK/Europe (🇬🇧 🇪🇺) this month (sold out) and will soon expand to the US/Canada (🇺🇸 🇨🇦).

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