Unseen Wins, Unmatched Potential

Today’s Topics

• Living in a World That Doesn’t Clap for Everyone 🕵️

• Research & Development 🔬

  5 Mins Read Time

The Have Nots: Living in a World That Doesn’t Clap for Everyone 🕵️

By Jo

Are you part of the crew? You know — the ones who didn’t have the silver spoon, the head start, the easy road. The “have nots.” There are more of us than there are of them, that’s for sure. And ironically, in a time where attention is currency, the crowd can still make you feel invisible — even when you’re winning.

See, I’ve learned that not every win gets celebrated, especially when your journey doesn’t fit the mold. A lot of my accomplishments were never applauded in the light they deserved. And you know why? Because what I’ve done — what many of us have done — simply isn’t normal to the average person. It’s not something they can relate to, so it’s not something they’ll recognize.

For the longest time, I thought I had to constantly show and prove. But with hindsight? I was better off just shutting up. And let me be clear — this isn’t about dimming your light. It’s about being aware of the room you’re in.

When you speak from a place of experience and insight in a room full of egos or insecurities, you risk putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. You may think you're opening up, but you're actually inviting challenge, criticism, or dismissal. If you're wired for that smoke — if you enjoy the back-and-forth, the test, the mental sparring — then by all means, lean in. But me? I prefer peace. I prefer moving quietly, letting my work speak for itself, and revealing my depths only to those who’ve earned it.

Nobody’s going to care about your journey the way you do. And nobody — not a stranger at a bar, not a coworker at a party — is entitled to know your story. Some of the most honorable parts of who I am will remain hidden until I decide it’s time.

So protect your energy. Move with intention. Choose your moments. And don’t let this world fool you into thinking you owe it everything just because you’ve accomplished something meaningful.

Golden Rule: Sometimes, silence is the greatest flex, even those with greatness aren’t always celebrated openly, and sometimes choose to remain low-key for their own peace and protection

Research & Development 🔬

By Marcus

In the prologue Vote On Yourself, we explored why it’s time to stop waiting and lead yourself.

In Part I – The CEO Arc, we laid the foundation for owning your outcomes through self-leadership.

In Part II – Your Employee Type, we broke down the six core job types so you can better align with what fits your strengths.

In Part III – An Advantage, we explored how advantages are the competitive edge you can’t ignore.

Now in Part IV – Research & Development – we’ll expand the scope of your role as CEO of your life to include long-term strategy.

The Setup

Many people will gladly spend time and money on entertainment or material goods they don’t need, but few will actually allocate resources to their own personal development and learning. This isn’t a criticism—just an observation of how we spend our time, money, and attention.

A great CEO is always forward-looking, with the aim of ensuring the longevity of the business. In your case, you want to ensure the stability of your life, family, and those close to you.

Research and Development is the very opposite of the YOLO way of life. Applying the R&D framework allows you to develop and master the arts of delayed gratification, strategic planning, and critical thinking.

Start With These Questions

Before moving forward, ask yourself:

• What lifestyle do you want?

• How much will that lifestyle cost?

• How many years will it take to obtain that lifestyle?

• What level of income do you want?

• Why is that amount of income important to you?

• How will you earn the money to support the life you want?

• Where do you want to live? Rent or own?

• What’s the cost of living where you want to be?

• Is money or passion more important to you?

• What career paths or jobs will help you reach the life you want?

These questions lay the foundation as you open the “Research & Development” department of your life.

Building the Process

Based on your answers, you may realize that obtaining the life you want will require hard work—and you’ll need every advantage you have to get there.

To keep this actionable, here’s a process you can use to evaluate your career path:

1. Find trusted data sources. For those in the U.S., start with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook 

2. Research occupation groups you’re interested in. Review salaries, job descriptions, education requirements, locations, work environments, and job outlook.

3. Cross-reference this with your goals. See which careers align with your vision for your future.

4. Look at entry-level positions in your chosen path. Does the pay and trajectory align with your long-term plan?

5. Follow leaders in your field. Subscribe to newsletters, blogs, and updates to stay on the edge of innovation.

6. Connect with relevant businesses on social media.

7. Watch “day in the life” videos or career breakdowns on YouTube.

8. Factor in location and cost of living for each stage of your career—entry, mid, and late-stage salaries.

Analyzing the Data

Based on your research, you’re now empowered to take action using real-world information.

You can invest time and resources into education, planning, and intentional action—rather than just going with the flow.

This approach gives you a clear advantage by doing a little extra work. From here, it’s all about finding ways to create or provide value in the direction you choose.

Where will your Research & Development lead you?

Summer.…. Summer.… Summer… Time…