‘I thought not taking my career seriously was a flex… Now I regret it’

Today I’m analysing the situation of Sahil. 

Sahil reached out to me via TikTok as he was interested in joining my Creative Career Level Up programme.

Sahil has an interesting story. 

He’s in his mid-30s and currently a Marketing Manager in a small consumer goods company. He studied Marketing and Management at uni, but when he graduated, he didn’t dive straight into a career. Instead, he packed up and went travelling. He lived in Australia for 2.5 years and worked in bars.

When he returned to the UK, he floated between jobs. He took what came his way rather than going after what he really wanted.

And for a while, that worked.

In his 20s, his friends were doing similar things. On weekends, their lives looked the same - beers at the pub, festivals, holidays. No one talked much about work.

But when he hit his 30s… the differences started to show.

Some friends started buying houses. Going on luxury holidays. One even bought a £1.2M place in London.

Sahil was stunned.

He knew his friend worked in banking and had always taken his career seriously -  but it hadn’t clicked until now just how much that focus would pay off.

In his own words:
“I always thought not taking my career seriously was a flex… now I regret it. I realise that while I was mucking around, my friends were building serious careers. I wish I’d taken it more seriously.”

And honestly? I felt that.

I once took a whole summer off corporate life to live in Greece and YOLO for 6 months. I get the appeal -  travel is intoxicating in your 20s. But the truth is, those years do shape your next 30.

The problem is, you often don’t see it until it feels too late.

So… how can Sahil move forward?

1. It’s never too late

You can always make a change. The best time to focus on your career was yesterday. The next best time is today. But you’ve got to go all in.

2. Don’t compare yourself

Everyone’s path is different. I had a mate sell his company for £20M at 36 while I was “just” working at Apple. There will always be someone ahead. Eyes on your own paper.

3. Make a plan

A clear roadmap will help know where to go. Understand what drives you, what environments you thrive in, and what you want next from your career. Talk to 20 people in your network to test your thinking. You’ll start to feel in control again.

4. Get help

You will always go further and faster with help. Whether it’s a coach, mentor or someone 10 years ahead - find someone who’s done what you want to do. Don’t waste time trying to figure it all out alone. Leveraging someone else's knowledge will accelerate your career.

If Sahil’s story resonates with you, I promise you’re not behind.
But it is time to make a change.