I just posted this on FB, but it’s something I wish I’d been told ten years ago, so I’m sharing it here too.

People who “make it” before 30 had access to a network, money, and opportunities that the rest of us didn’t (don’t) have.

When you have to take the long way around, it takes...longer. Don’t beat yourself up because you weren’t gifted with certain privileges.

This is true for everything, by the way. Best of lists. Bestseller lists. 30 under 30 lists. New names/faces to know lists. Top 100 lists. It took me way too long to realize that the reason I was going to never be on those had nothing to do with the importance/quality of my work.

Or maybe it did, I don’t know. But not knowing the “right” people definitely had more of an impact. Mediocre quality work with the right endorsements will always go farther than excellent work from a “nobody.”

Your work is valid. Your work is important. Your work is worthwhile. That’s true regardless of if anyone recognizes it. It’s true if you’re over 30 (or 40. Or 50. Or 60). The work you do is worth doing.