You Avoided the Mistakes, Now Master the Game

You know the traps to avoid. Now, here’s the roadmap to the top.

I’ve spent the last few weeks bundling everything together. All the playbooks, all the checklists, all the hard-won lessons from my 50 years in the trenches — from the military to government service to running my own tech company — are now in one place.

Not a member — read for free here.

I’m thrilled to announce The “First Five Years” Career Kickstarter Bundle, now available on Gumroad. It’s the comprehensive toolkit I wish I’d had when I was 25.

The "First Five Years" Career Kickstarter Bundle

From knowing the path to walking the path

In the last article, we talked about the unforced errors that can sabotage a promising career. Now, let’s talk about moving from simply avoiding those traps to actively mastering the game.

• Remember Mistake #1: Treating feedback like a personal attack?
• We talked about how getting defensive signals that you’re uncoachable. That’s the theory. But how do you build the muscle to take a punch, metaphorically speaking? That’s where The “How to Take Feedback” Workbook comes in. It’s not just a guide; it’s a training ground with practical exercises to help you turn criticism into your single greatest tool for growth.
• And Mistake #2: Expecting your manager to be a mind reader?
• Your boss is juggling a dozen priorities, and you’re just one of them. Waiting for them to hand you your next big opportunity is a losing strategy. You need to manage up. The “Managing Up” Masterclass gives you the scripts, frameworks, and exact questions (like my personal favorite, “What does a ‘win’ look like for you this week?”) to become an indispensable partner to your boss, not just a subordinate.
• How about Mistake #3: Sloppy digital communication?
• In today’s world, your writing is your reputation. A confusing email suggests confused thinking. “The Unspoken Rules of Professional Email” Guide is your secret weapon. It’s a quick-read packed with templates and examples to ensure every email you send is polished, purposeful, and makes you look like the pro you are.
• Then there’s Mistake #4: Ignoring the game behind the game.
• Thinking the workplace is a pure meritocracy is a lovely idea, but it’s naive. Every office has an invisible map of influence and trust. The overarching “First Five Years” Career Playbook is your guide to reading that map and navigating the complex, human dynamics that truly shape your career.
• Finally, Mistake #5: Believing your degree means you’re above “grunt work.”
• Your degree got you in the door. Your attitude gets you promoted. To keep this top of mind, I created The “Don’t Screw This Up” Checklist. It’s a simple, one-page reminder to pin to your wall. It’s about proving you’re reliable and building trust, one “unglamorous” task at a time.

Everything you need, all in one place

Look, you can spend the next few years figuring this all out through trial and error (and believe me, there will be errors). Or, you can get a 50-year head start.

The “First Five Years” Career Kickstarter Bundle includes:

• The “First Five Years” Career Playbook
• The “How to Take Feedback” Workbook
• The “Managing Up” Masterclass
• “The Unspoken Rules of Professional Email” Guide
• The “Don’t Screw This Up” Checklist

I’ve distilled five decades of experience into a practical, actionable toolkit that you can get for less than the price of a few cups of coffee.

The "First Five Years" Career Kickstarter Bundle

Your next move is simple

Stop trying to navigate the minefield blindfolded. The roadmap is right here.

Get your complete Career Playbook Bundle on Gumroad today.

You have the talent. You have the drive. Now you have the rules of the game. Go build something amazing.

The "First Five Years" Career Kickstarter Bundle

Rich Brown - Medium

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