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I’ve spent a lot of my career stuck in my own head. Overthinking, doubting myself, and being my own worst critic. If you’re anything like me, you know what it’s like to carry the weight of self-doubt around. You’ve heard those voices — real or imagined — telling you you’re not good enough, not disciplined enough, not as capable as the next person. For me, those voices sounded like: My old boss laughing, “You’re getting older. Settle down already.” My employer’s unspoken judgment: “You’re ridiculous for thinking this could work.” But here’s the kicker: none of them were actually saying those things. It was all fear. My own fear. Fear loves to masquerade as truth. It convinces you that every doubt and criticism is reality. It whispers that you’re stuck where you are because you’re not good enough. But fear is a liar. And when you let it take the wheel, it will paralyze you. It will keep you picking apart your choices, doubting your abilities, and staying exactly where you are. I know this because I’ve lived it. For years, I let fear dictate my actions. I worked tirelessly in jobs where I wasn’t appreciated, telling myself that if I just worked harder, someone would notice. I stayed in situations that didn’t serve me because I convinced myself I didn’t deserve better. Then one day, I asked myself:What if it turns out better than I think? What if all the risks I was afraid to take weren’t as scary as they seemed? What if, instead of letting fear keep me paralyzed, I took one small step forward? Not a leap — just a step. So, I started. Slowly. I made a plan. I mapped out small, actionable steps to move forward — toward better roles, toward better connections, toward better opportunities. I prioritized what mattered most and let go of the fear that had been holding me back. And guess what? It turned out better than I thought. I learned that progress isn’t about being fearless; it’s about taking action despite the fear. It’s about asking yourself the hard questions: What’s one small step I can take today? What if the thing I’m scared of is actually the best decision I could make? What’s the worst that could happen… and what’s the best that could happen? The moment you stop letting fear control your choices, you open yourself up to opportunities you never thought possible. This doesn’t just apply to career moves. It applies to everything: starting that side project you’ve been thinking about, reaching out to that mentor you admire, having that tough conversation you’ve been avoiding. Every big change starts with one small step forward. So, I’ll ask you the same question I asked myself:What if it turns out better than you think? Take that step. It’s time to find out.

Why ‘Work Harder’ is the Worst Advice You’ll Ever Hear Growing up, we were told, “Work harder, and you’ll succeed.”It’s the message everywhere — in school, movies, and even from family. The idea is that if you just put in enough hours, all your dreams will come true. But let’s be honest: it’s not true. What’s the Problem?Relying on hard work alone doesn’t always lead to success. Instead, it often leads to burnout and frustration. People hustle endlessly, hoping their effort will be enough, but they miss the bigger picture. Here are a few examples: Staying in a job for years, thinking effort alone will lead to promotions, only to get passed over. Putting in long hours but neglecting to build relationships or learn new skills. Grinding away but never stepping back to think about better ways to work. Why It’s FlawedHard work without a clear direction is like rowing a boat without a map — you’ll get tired, but you won’t get anywhere. Studies even back this up. Stanford research shows that productivity drops sharply after 50 hours of work a week. Yet so many of us still believe working longer is the key. I’ve fallen into this trap too. Early in my career, I worked exhausting, physically demanding jobs, thinking my dedication would pay off. But nothing changed until I shifted my mindset — combining hard work with strategy and building meaningful connections. That’s when things started to click. What to Do InsteadThe truth is, you don’t need to work harder. You need to work smarter. Here’s something to try: Think about one area of your life where you’re putting in effort but not seeing results. Step back and ask, “Is there a better way to do this?” When you focus on working smarter, you start noticing opportunities you missed before. You create more impact without burning yourself out. Why It Matters NowThe world is different today. Hard work by itself isn’t enough anymore. Automation, remote work, and global competition mean results, creativity, and strategy are what matter most. The people who succeed now are the ones who can leverage their skills, relationships, and creativity — not just their effort. The grind isn’t the future. Smart work is. So, what’s your next move?