Early Career Challenges Don’t Define You
Starting a career isn’t easy, and let’s be honest—many of us feel like we’re fumbling through the first few years. I’ve been there, and I’ve seen others go through it too. What’s clear to me now is that early struggles don’t define your potential, but how you respond to them does.
The first few years are less about being "great" and more about learning how to work. Most of us lack deep product knowledge, we’re unfamiliar with tools, and we’re just trying to stay afloat. That’s normal. But if you want to break out of being “average,” you need to take control of your growth.
Learn Deeply, Not Broadly
Stop chasing every new tool or framework. Pick a technology, product, or system and really understand it. Mastery over something specific will always outshine surface-level knowledge of 20 things.Own Your Mistakes
Everyone screws up early on—bad projects, missed deadlines, failed ideas. What matters is whether you learn from them. Analyze what went wrong, adapt, and do better next time. Resilience is a skill.Find the Right Team
Let’s face it: some environments will crush you, no matter how hard you try. If your manager or team doesn’t support your growth, find one that does. It’s not quitting—it’s choosing to thrive.Play the Long Game
Your career isn’t about killing it in year one. It’s about consistent improvement. I’ve seen people go from being "just okay" for years to becoming top performers because they stuck with it, kept learning, and found their niche.Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor
Hustling 24/7 isn’t sustainable. I’ve burned myself out before, and trust me, it’s not worth it. Focus on doing meaningful work, not just working more hours.
Ultimately, what separates high performers isn’t talent—it’s persistence, self-awareness, and the ability to adapt. If you’re struggling now, that’s fine. Keep showing up, keep learning, and give yourself time. The people who succeed aren’t the ones who never struggled; they’re the ones who turned those struggles into growth.