The Real Currency for Career Success
You’ll Be Shocked to Learn It’s Not Money That Makes Successful People
"The real currency to success isn’t money or time—it’s the courage to invest in your potential, the grit to grow through challenges, and the wisdom to multiply what you already have."
Hi Superstar,
Let me start by saying, brace yourself for the rest of this year because my mind is overflowing with creative wisdom designed to help you navigate your career with clarity.
Every now and then, I scroll through TikTok and come across videos where creators say, "You need to spend money to succeed in your career." I mean, they repeat it like a mantra:
Spend money.
Buy that course.
Invest in yourself.
And you know what? They’re right. Yes, money helps you access knowledge, and give you opportunities to improve your skills. But here’s where it gets interesting: money alone won’t make you successful. You could spend thousands on upskilling programs and still feel as lost as when you started if you lack the real currency for success.
What is that real currency, then? It’s the intangible assets that no amount of money can buy: Purpose, Right Relationships, Integrity, and Action.
Now for those of us who are bróque ( not rolling in cash right now but with intentions of being rich), you don’t need to feel sad that you can’t afford certain programs to scale yourself currently.
You see, we often think the key to success in our careers is something we can see and touch—money, time, or maybe a prestigious title. But in reality, the currency that truly powers growth, influence, and fulfillment in any career is invisible. It’s the stuff that doesn’t fit on a resume but shapes your entire professional journey.
Let me break it down for you: it’s Purpose, the passion behind your work; Relationships, the connections that open doors and create opportunities; Integrity, the foundation of trust that others place in you; and Action, the willingness to take risks and grow.
To illustrate this, let me take you to a familiar story—the Parable of the Talents. It’s a story that goes far beyond its simple surface meaning. Here’s a quick recap:
A wealthy master, before going on a journey, gives his three servants different amounts of silver called "talents." To one, he gives five talents; to another, two talents; and to the last, one talent. His expectation is clear: they should use these talents wisely and multiply them in his absence.
The first two servants get to work, take risks, and double what they were given. Their reward? Praise and more responsibility. But the third servant? He buries his single talent in the ground out of fear.
When the master returns, he isn’t pleased. He reprimands the servant for his inaction and gives the talent to the one who has the most, saying, "To those who use well what they are given, even more, will be given, and they will have an abundance."
How Does This Relate to One’s Career?
Most times, I think the servant with the one talent had the greatest potential to succeed. Think about it, he wasn’t overwhelmed with too much, and he wasn’t juggling multiple responsibilities. That’s like being given a small plot of land to nurture; it might not be as large as someone else’s, but it’s fertile ground for growth if you care for it properly.
The problem? He let fear drive his decision to bury his talent, squandering what could have been his chance to multiply his success. And this is where many of us go wrong in our careers. We look around at those with "five talents" or "two talents" and think we’re at a disadvantage because we don’t have as much. We get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and forget to value the opportunities we do have.
But the truth is, you don’t need to wait for a higher salary, more resources, or perfect conditions. You already have the most important assets you need to scale your career, you just have to make use of them.
Moreover, when it comes to working remotely, many of us are in situations where resources feel limited. Maybe you’re working from home without the latest equipment or formal training
This is why many of us don’t succeed in our careers. We wait for the perfect conditions: better equipment, a better salary and more resources before we take that leap. But the truth is, much like in the parable, you already possess the most important assets you need to scale your career. You don’t need more; you just need to start
Consider this: What skills, relationships, or experiences do you currently have that you’re underutilizing? What areas of your professional life have you been "burying" out of fear, uncertainty, or even complacency? Just like the third servant, you might be holding onto a skill that’s incredibly valuable but because you’re afraid to fail, you don’t invest in it.
Imagine if the servant with the one talent had taken a different path. Imagine if he’d been bold, taken risks, and found creative ways to grow that single talent. He could have surprised not only his master but also himself with the outcomes.
The lesson here is that it’s not about how much you start with. It’s about what you do with what you already have.
So, whatever your "talent" is, know that it has the potential to grow exponentially if you invest in it. Stop waiting for the perfect conditions. Stop comparing yourself to others. Your one talent can lead to abundant success if you nurture it. The real question you need to ask yourself is: Are you ready to focus and grow what you already have, or are you going to bury it in fear?
Because, at the end of the day, it’s not the number of skills you acquire that determines your success. It’s what you do with them.
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Resources to Help in Your Remote Career Journey
Our Resume Templates: Each template is accompanied by a comprehensive customization guide to assist you in tailoring your own resumes. Additionally, editable versions of the templates are provided for your convenience. Link
Our Social Media Handles: For daily tips on navigating your remote work career or tips to corporate success, check out our social media handles here Link
Introduction to Remote Work: Access our free ebook on what remote work is and how you can get remote jobs, especially other platforms to check out. Link
The ABC of a Successful Remote Job Application: Access our free ebook on how to tailor your resume and apply to remote jobs. I have tailored a resume template you can use as well as cold mail messages in drafting your cover letter. Link
The Remote Salary Handbook: This is the first published guide on remote work. Having been a remote worker from Africa, I know the struggles of getting good pay, I have been paid less countless times. This ebook lays down tips as well as templates to ensure no one gets to be like me. It’s currently on sale and would go a long way in your career journey. Link
Yours truly,
Your Career Cheerleader,
Mary-Esther Anele
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