#77: The Unfiltered Reality of Success
Your path as a high achiever isn't going to be a straight line.
👋 Hey, Leo here! Welcome to the Level Up Ladder. Each week, I explain the concepts needed to become a better tech leader and grow your career. Subscribe to get every issue.
Hey friends,
Welcome to the 77th edition of the “Level Up Ladder” newsletter.
Had a busy week, finishing the Corporate Responsibility and Ethics course last weekend while waiting for the “huge storm” to come to Bucharest. (Spoiler Alert: it was just an autumn rain.)
During the week, I spend most of my mornings writing for the individual project for this course, due on the 25th.
My evenings were also busy, as I went out with my team on Tuesday, with some former colleagues on Thursday, and participated in my first-ever book club on Monday We discussed Sapolski’s “Determined,” and it was an exciting conversation.
I’ll probably write about the theory that there is no “free will” in one of the following newsletters.
Other than that, the usual work and long walks in the park. Maybe I told you before, but I love autumn.
The Unfiltered Reality of Success
Look, if you’re reading this newsletter, you’re probably someone who doesn’t settle. Someone who wants to grow and take on new challenges.
But growth is not linear.
During my career, as much as I hate admitting it, I’ve been troubled by other people’s success stories. And I know I’m not the only one.
I wrote this LinkedIn post this week, which was well-received, and I want to expand on it.
The truth is that the career journey is messy and sometimes uncomfortable.
And it’s filled with failures.
It’s not only about changing jobs.
It’s the endless parade of “I just closed a million-dollar deal!”, or “My startup just got acquired for 10 million” flooding our feeds. Don’t get me wrong—celebrating wins is great. But it’s not that great when you’ve been unemployed for 3 months and the rent is due.
In those moments, when you’ve been working your a** off for the last 12 months and you don’t get any raise, or when no-one buys your products, it’s hard to come to terms with the reality: that the highlights from above are just a tiny fraction of the whole story.
Actually, if Social Media was a real thing, 90% of the posts would be like this:
"I've been rejected by 50 investors this year."
"I achieved my dream goal, but I still feel empty"
"I'm working 80-hour weeks, and my personal life is falling apart."
Well, maybe not that bleak, but you got the point 😊
My Story
My path hasn’t been a smooth, upward journey. Far from it.
In the first 3 years of my career, I’ve evolved very little → friends I knew were already leading teams
In 2015, I’ve spent around 4 months “on bench” trying to find a suitable project
Before landing my current job, I’ve interviewed for more than a year
And these are just some things I remember on the spot.
I face issues daily.
My life, like most of ours, is a rollercoaster of:
Relentless pressure: There's always another goal, another benchmark to hit.
Fear of failure: The higher you climb, the farther there is to fall.
Isolation: Sometimes, it feels like no one else understands the weight you're carrying.
Sacrifices: Success often comes at the cost of personal time, relationships, or well-being.
It's exhausting. It's frustrating.
But it's also exhilarating when you push through those challenges and reach new heights.
Breaking Free from Comparison
Here's the most important thing I want you to take away from this newsletter:
Never compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel.
That person you admire on LinkedIn?
The one with the seemingly perfect career and life?
I guarantee they've had their share of sleepless nights, crushing defeats, and moments of self-doubt.
Most of us are figuring things out as we go along.
We're all learning something new every single day, navigating the ups and downs, and trying to make sense of what it really means to be "successful."
Embracing Your Unique Journey
Your path as a high achiever isn't going to be a straight line.
And that's okay.
What matters is that it's YOUR journey.
Your struggles. Your victories . Your lessons learned
They all contribute to making you the driven individual you are today.
Practical Advice for High-Achievers
Redefine success: It's not just about external achievements. Include personal growth, relationships, and well-being in your definition.
Embrace failure: Each setback is a learning opportunity. The most successful people have often failed the most.
Practice self-compassion: Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend. You're doing the best you can.
Set boundaries: Learn to say no. Protect your time and energy for what truly matters.
Cultivate a growth mindset: Focus on the process of improvement, not just the end results.
Find your tribe: Surround yourself with like-minded people who understand your struggles and can offer genuine support.
Prioritize mental health: Success means nothing if you're miserable. Make time for therapy, meditation, or whatever helps you stay grounded.
Let's Get Real: What's Your Story?
Now, I want to hear from you.
What's been your biggest "failure" that ended up teaching you something valuable on your journey as a high-achiever?
Reply to this email and let me know.
Remember, we're all in this together.
The journey isn't linear, but it's yours.
Own it.
Recommendations
1/ Podcast episode with Robert Greene
Robert Greene is one of my favorite authors and in this episode he talks about his perspective on the world and how it influenced his books. He is famous for writing “The 48 Laws of Power," a book that is prohibited in US prisons.
2/ Establish Clear Employee Expectations In Under An Hour
Dave Kline is one of my favorite leadership voices on the internet.
In this post, he talks about a framework he uses to align with his team on the week’s goals and expectations.
3/ A Spotify Playlist for Deep Work
I usually work with instrumental music. I put my Bose headphones on and get into flow.
Here’s one playlist that helps me with that.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll join me in the comments section for further discussions!
Leo
P.S. If you enjoyed this piece and want to support my writing, please consider sharing it.
Thank you so much for being here!
P.P.S. If you want to read my content daily, don’t forget to follow me on LinkedIn.