I just turned 40 and started reflecting on my career. Here are 5 things I wish I knew when I was starting out.

• I just turned 40 and started reflecting on my 20-year career journey.
• I wish I could tell my younger self not to focus on job titles and to network with intention.
• Building a network and maintaining good health are also crucial for achieving success.

I just turned 40 years old, and like many at this milestone, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons I wish I had understood sooner — specifically when it comes to work.

My career has taken me from newsrooms at some of the biggest broadcasters to launching my own business. I’ve achieved great success along the way, but, of course, it came with some challenges.

Starting out in media as a 20-something, I was naive about some aspects of career development. Twenty years later, as I reflect back on the start of my work life, I now wish I could tell my younger self these five simple truths.

1. Focus on the room, not the position

When I was fresh out of university, I thought the job title was everything. My ego wanted a fast climb. But my real education didn’t come from my job title; it came from being in the right rooms.

My early years as a TV news publicist were not flashy. I wasn’t on-air talent, and I wasn’t crafting the headlines. But I was in the room with some of the best journalists and producers in the industry. Just by proximity, I observed excellence.

I learned how producers think, how editors solve problems under pressure, how presenters prepare before interviews, and how to craft stories that mattered to a large audience.

Don’t obsess over the title. Focus on being around people who are excellent at their craft and can challenge you to improve. The room will teach you more than the role.

2. Learn how to market yourself

For years, I believed my work would speak for itself. I worked hard, delivered results, and waited to be recognized. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work that way. Your visibility matters (sometimes more) than your performance.

Self-promotion doesn’t mean arrogance; it means self-advocacy. It means ensuring your contributions are known to the right people — inside and outside the organization.

It means speaking up for yourself in meetings, regularly sharing wins without apology, and building a personal brand — even within your company walls.

It also means building a personal brand beyond your CV. Ensure your work is visible, so future opportunities can find you.

3. Build a positive network intentionally

Careers don’t accelerate because of skills alone. They accelerate through people. Every opportunity I’ve had in my career came from a person: someone who referred me, introduced me, or recommended me for a role.

In my 20s, I thought networking was about collecting business cards at events. Now I know it’s about building relationships — genuine, long-term connections with people. The right community opens doors you didn’t even know existed.

Your network is not just about where you want to go; it’s about who you want to become. Surround yourself with people who are building lives and careers you admire.

4. Start a side hustle early

When I finally launched my own business in 2017, I realized that side projects build confidence, networks, and a sense of freedom outside the 9-to-5.

I wish I had started earlier, not only because of the financial benefits but also because of the valuable experience. A side hustle teaches you skills that you may not always acquire at work, such as sales, marketing, and resilience. It also gives you proof that you can create something on your own terms.

I believe that every person should know how to earn money outside their 9-to-5 job. It keeps you edgy and also gives you the freedom to move on and not “stay stuck” in a role that isn’t aligned anymore.

Even if your side hustle never becomes your full-time career, it can give you the courage to make bolder moves in your main job.

5. Take care of your body

At 40, I’m paying what I call the “health tax” — late nights, skipped meals, and endless coffee runs.

In my 20s and 30s, I treated my body like an afterthought. But energy and health are career assets. Without them, success is not sustainable.

No promotion, paycheck, or title is worth burning out your body. I wish I had realized that rest, exercise, and healthy boundaries weren’t luxuries; they were strategic career decisions.

Looking back, moving forward

At 40, I’m not lamenting what I didn’t do. I’m grateful for the lessons I had to learn the hard way because they make me want to share them with the next generation of leaders, creators, and dreamers.

Your career becomes a series of rooms, relationships, and risks. A title on a business card is only temporary. But your expertise, reputation, health, and network will follow you everywhere you go.

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