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Commandment #7
Lex Gonzales
August 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg’s careers were catapulted by the 1990 movie, “Ghost”. But, which one worked as a mortuary cosmetologist before that?
[ Answer at the bottom ]
In This Issue
Today’s Ladder: Stop waiting to be picked.
Takeaway: No hero. Just you.
Resources: I filtered out the fluff… here’s the gold.
ICYMI: Missed these? Here’s a quick recap.
Career Ladder Intel: Must-know news and trends in today’s job market.
"If you want to grow your career, don’t wait for the meeting invite. Create the meeting."
Today’s Ladder:
Stop Waiting to Be Picked
I used to wait for the right manager, the right project, the right “big break.”
I thought someone would see how hard I worked and say,
“Now it’s your turn.”
But no one came.
Not because they didn’t care.
But because everyone else were busy saving their own careers.
One day, after another overlooked opportunity, I stopped waiting.
I created my own development plan.
I booked time with decision-makers.
I started saying, “Here’s what I want, and here’s why I’m ready.”
It was uncomfortable.
But empowering.
And slowly, the doors that once felt sealed started to crack open.
Not because someone unlocked them.
Because I stopped waiting for a key…
And built my own.
That is what Career Commandment # 7 taught me:
You Are the Rescue Plan
Ready to take control? Here’s how:
Stop hoping, start mapping – Design your own next step. Don’t wait for it.
Speak up early and often – Visibility is not vanity. It’s strategy.
Lead yourself first – The fastest way to earn leadership is to show you don’t need rescuing.
Commandment #7: “No One Is Coming”
No one is coming to read your mind.
No one is coming to advocate for your raise.
No one is coming to hand you the opportunity.
No one is coming…
And that’s your power.
Because the day you stop waiting is the day you start moving.
And movement is what builds momentum.
Just you…
And the power you’ve had all along.
Gif by PermissionIO on Giphy
Takeaway:
No Hero. Just You.
When she was little, my daughter loves fairy tales.
But one night, the story didn’t sit right.
A brave girl gets trapped in a tower.
She waits. She hopes.
Eventually, someone comes to rescue her.
We closed the book. She looked up and asked,
“Would someone always come to help?”
I paused.
Then told her the truth:
“You don’t need to wait for rescue. You’re the one who climbs out.”
Because I believe in Career Commandment #7:
No one is coming.
Not your boss. Not HR. Not even a mentor.
You are the CEO of your career.
The moment I stopped waiting to be discovered,
My career changed.
My income changed.
My mindset changed.
That shift is captured in Commandment #7 of the framework I teach:
It’s not just advice.
It’s a call to take back your power.
Resources:
Own Your Career, Own Your Life: Stop Drifting and Take Control of Your Future - this book is a practical guide on how to direct your own career, prepare for the future, and ultimately get back in the driving seat of your own life.
Multiply Your Impact by Owning Your Career - this video posits, “Who is responsible for your career?” The answer is YOU, but do you actually know what owning your career looks like in the modern workplace?
ICYMI: Links to recent issues
🙋🏻♂️ Stop Underselling Yourself: The Case for Backing Your Ask
💌 Mentors vs Sponsors: And Why You Need Both
💼 How to Know When It’s Time to Quit Your Job
Career Ladder Intel:
Unemployment rate increased to 4.2%, its highest level in over a year - Read more
'A black hole': New graduates discover a dismal job market - Read more
Automation and AI adoption are accelerating workforce restructuring, putting pressure on entry-level and generalist roles while increasing demand for specialized skill sets - Read more
How did you like this issue? |
To your success,
Dr. Lex ✍️
Founder, Career Ladder | Career MBA
DID YOU KNOW?
Whoopi Goldberg worked as a mortuary cosmetologist before her entertainment career. She has openly discussed her experience doing hair and makeup on dead people at a funeral home, to support herself before achieving fame.
HEADS UP:
If you’ve been feeling stuck, next Sunday’s issue is for you… I’ll share with you Commandment #8 - the secret strategy of high-performing professionals.
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