Don’t waste years forcing what doesn’t work. Focus on what flows—your time, talent, and energy deserve better.
Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things—building a portfolio, learning new tools, staying active on LinkedIn—but still going nowhere?
Maybe you’re putting all your time and energy into a shop no one’s lining up for.
According to Harvard Business Review, people who consistently perform at a high level know how to focus on what’s already working. And LinkedIn Talent Solutions (2021) found that professionals who build careers based on their strengths see over twice the average performance of their peers.
That means success doesn’t always come from trying harder.
Sometimes, it comes from choosing better.
I Was Pouring Hours Into the Wrong Work
Back in college, I spent hundreds of hours learning how to draw—thinking it would give me an edge as a designer.
The problem? I was terrible at it.
Sketching stressed me out, progress felt slow, and my confidence plummeted with every draft.
Still, I stuck with it—because I’d already invested so much time. Classic sunk cost fallacy.
Meanwhile, I was getting great feedback on my layout designs and content planning projects.
It was fun, came easily, and people actually wanted to work with me.
But I kept ignoring it—until I heard one sentence that changed everything.
A Shift in Perspective Changed My Career
“Close the empty shop, and expand the one with a line out the door.”
That hit me hard.
I realized I’d been forcing myself to fix something that never worked for me—when I already had something that did.
So I pivoted.
I focused on content strategy, visual communication, and user experience flows.
Soon after, I landed an internship at a branding agency.
Then freelance clients started reaching out on Fiverr and Upwork, just based on the projects I enjoyed making most.
According to Stanford Behavioral Science Institute, the brain is wired to double down on rewarding activities. When we see real results, we get a dopamine boost that builds stronger motivation and focus.
This isn’t just productivity advice.
It’s brain science.
Build What’s Already Working
Most people keep trying to fix what’s broken.
But if something’s already working—lean into it.
Think back on the last few months.
Which project got the best feedback with the least stress?
Which task gave you energy instead of draining it?
That’s your "line-out-the-door" work.
Double down on that. Let go of the rest.
So let me ask you:
What’s your line-out-the-door shop?
Are you ignoring what’s already working?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—your answer might be the beginning of your best year yet.
Post a Comment