“Visibility without value is noise. Value without visibility is wasted.”

Today’s Ladder:

Want More? Invest in You.

There was a season when I thought the right job would solve everything.

• Better boss. 

• Bigger title. 

• Higher pay.

That’s what I chased.

But no matter where I landed, I still felt behind.

Every role left me asking the same questions:

•  “Why am I not moving faster?”

•  “Why does it feel like I’m starting over every time?”

Here’s what I realized:

I was pouring effort into the job - but not enough into the asset.
And that asset was me.

I finally learned:
Companies don’t build careers.
People do.

And if I wanted my career and income to grow, I had to treat myself like a business investment.

I asked myself… 

“Will my company invest (pay me) their top dollar?”

I told myself…

“I’ll make sure my company sees me as their best-performing asset.” 

You’re the Product. Upgrade Relentlessly.

Here’s what I started focusing on:

1. Skills – I doubled down on learning what moved the needle: communication, leadership, strategy.
   

2. Mindset – I rewired how I saw rejection, failure, and feedback. Growth became my default.
   

3. Visibility – I stopped hiding. I shared wins, spoke up, built relationships, and got on people’s radar.

That’s when everything changed.

I became more confident.
More in demand.
And more in control of my career.

Because I wasn’t waiting for someone to hand me an opportunity…

I became the person opportunities were looking for.

You’re not just an employee.
You’re the engine behind your entire career.

So fuel that.

Takeaway:

So Good They Can’t Ignore You

A few nights ago, I revisited Cal Newport’s book So Good They Can’t Ignore You.

It’s not your typical “follow your passion” pep talk.
In fact, it argues the opposite.

Newport says:
→ Passion doesn’t come first—mastery does.
→ Career fulfillment isn’t found—it’s earned.

The most successful professionals focus less on what feels good… and more on what builds rare and valuable skills.

The result?
They become indispensable.

That message hit home for me.

Because after 10+ years studying successful careers, mentoring professionals, and watching both breakthroughs and burnout happen…

I’ve come to believe one thing above all:

You are the asset.
Not your degree.
Not your job title.
Not even your network.

You.

And just like any asset, your value compounds… if you know how to invest in it.

This isn’t motivational fluff.
It’s the framework top performers follow. Whether consciously or not.

Which is exactly why I wrote The 10 Career Commandments.

It’s not just a manifesto.
It’s a bold, practical framework to help you grow your career and income. With intention.

Commandment #2 is this: You Are the Asset.

And that changes everything.

Now, I want to share The 10 Commandments to as many professionals as possible… but, here’s the thing:

I don’t want freebie seekers. I want Commandment Keepers.

So, instead of “free”, I made the manifesto “pay what you want”.

If you’re interested, you can get your copy of The 10 Career Commandments here.

ICYMI: Links to recent issues

👫 Mentors vs Sponsors: And Why You Need Both

🙋🏻‍♂️ The Real Reason You Keep Saying Yes (And How to Stop)

💱 The Best Framework I’ve Seen for Leading Without a Title

To your success,

Dr. Lex ✍️

Founder, Career Ladder | Career MBA