Work hard. But work smart first. And never trade your self-respect for a seat at the table. If you have to compromise your peace to get in the room, it’s the wrong room.

Whether you want to be a CEO, a creator, or a consultant, the mechanics of a long career are the same. Here is the practical advice I’ve gathered about navigating your twenties with the strategy of a seasoned professional.

When you’re standing at the starting line of any competitive industry, it is easy to look at the finish line and want to sprint. You see the red carpets, the accolades, and the financial freedom, and you think the goal is speed . But after watching the veterans—the ones who have lasted a decade or more—I’ve learned that the goal isn’t speed. It is sustainability .

Go build something that lasts.