Dan Go

Body transformation coach to entrepreneurs. On a mission to help 1 million people transform their bodies by 2027. Follow me for posts on high performance & health optimization.

Over the past 18 years, at High Performance Founder we have been helping some of the sharpest Entrepreneurs on the Planet lose weight, build muscle & increase energy.

Just imagine yourself with more confidence, energy & focus watching your revenue skyrocket as a result of feeling like yourself again.

That’s what most DREAM about, but cease to ever accomplish...

After servicing over 10,000+ Clients,

I've noticed a pattern of why most Entrepreneurs can't lose weight in a sustainable way and I've distilled it down to 3 forces:

Force #1. Cookie cutter plans - You follow someone else's plan or diet and hope to expect the same result.

What you actually need is a plan customized to your body and personal lifestyle.

Force #2. Systems — No systems in place to make getting in shape easier.

A good business runs on systems. The same goes for your body.

Without systems you're gambling on success worse than a drunken bet at a Vegas craps table. 

The process of getting your body back into shape is very much about automating the habits needed to get your body lean & energetic.

No systems = having to think about your diet and workouts all the time.

This results in your spinning your wheels getting frustrated with the process and eventually giving up.

Force #3. Too much focus on losing weight. Not enough on sustainability

What's the point of losing 20 lbs in 6 weeks if you just put it back on?

The goal is to never worry or think about having an unhealthy body for the rest of your life.

But you can't be doing that if you're just thinking about doing things only to lose weight and not enough on your lifestyle.

Most entrepreneurs do unsustainable things to lose a couple pounds on the scale only to be disappointed when they're back where they started.

This results in a yo yo cycle of weight loss and weight gain until they give up.

Now, if you're facing any of these forces, I have a good news! These are completely avoidable and reversible if you just follow the right process.

At High Performance Founder, we are client-obsessed helping entrepreneurs succeed by filling in these gaps. 

Our "North Star" is our clients, focused on this axis; Fastest, most predictable and cost-efficient way possible to help you grow. Our hygiene standard is to help our client getting in shape without stressing out.

We've spent the last 18+ years dialling in a process that just works!

Don't take my word for it — check out our Case Studies below from our successful Clients.

Want to learn more?
→ https://highperformancefounder.com/testimonials/

Chief Executive Officer

We specialize in helping entrepreneurs lose the excess weight, build muscle & increase energy with ease and minimal stress.

At High Performance Founder, we are client-obsessed helping entrepreneurs become the healthiest versions of themselves.

Our "North Star" is our clients results with a big focus on sustainability. Our standard is helping clients reach their fitness goals within 12 weeks.

We've spent the last 18 years dialling in a process that just works!

Don't take my word for it — check out our Case Studies below from our successful Clients.

Want to learn more? Watch free training:
→ https://highperformancefounder.com/testimonials/

It's my birthday today, and let me share with you something that has taken me a decade to learn:

Body:
Hit the gym 3x/week. That's it.

Relationships:
Find someone whom you wouldn't mind doing absolutely nothing with. Lock that person down.

Work:
Pick something you'd do for free. Then charge for it.

Daily execution:
Show up. Do the work. Ignore everyone else's scoreboard.

The happiest people I know are not the ones with the most money. They're the ones who figured this out.

We overcomplicate success:
- 47-step morning routines
- Optimization frameworks
- Life hacks and shortcuts
- Comparison games

The truth is boring:

Lift heavy things. Love good people. Build something meaningful. Have more fun than everyone else.

That's the whole playbook.

The person having the most fun always wins. Because they're the only one who knows what game they're actually playing.

Stop collecting tactics. Start living.

Period.

♻️ Share with someone making life harder than it needs to be.

- Dan

Ps. Want the simple system to keep your body in shape? Join 460,000+ upgrading their lives and bodies👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

I Asked 100 Entrepreneurs: 'What Would You Trade For 10 More Healthy Years?'

Every Answer Was The Same.

"Everything."

Their cars. Stock portfolios. Beach houses. Business empires.

All of it.

One founder showed me his dad's death certificate. Died at 58. Heart attack. Built a $50M company but never saw his grandkids.

Another pulled up photos. Him at 35: Running 5ks. Him at 45: Can't climb stairs without stopping.

Here's what hit me hardest:

These aren't lazy people. They work 80-hour weeks. Close million-dollar deals. Build empires.

But they treat their bodies like rental cars.

Skip workouts for meetings.
Replace meals with protein bars.
Sleep 4 hours because "hustle."
Pop pills instead of fixing problems.

Then, at 50, they'd trade their entire net worth for what they destroyed.

The math doesn't work.

You're grinding for a future you won't live to see. Building wealth while bankrupting your health.

I tell my clients: Your body is your only non-negotiable asset.

Money? You can make more.
Business? You can start another.
Health? Once it's gone, it's gone.

The entrepreneurs who get this? They schedule workouts like board meetings. Track sleep like KPIs. Treat nutrition like an investment strategy.

Because 10 extra healthy years isn't about living longer.

It's about being there when your daughter gets married. Playing with grandkids. Actually enjoying what you built.

You can't buy that back.

♻️ Share with someone drowning in complexity.

- Dan

PS. I help entrepreneurs get their health back without sacrificing their business.

Every week 460,000+ subscribers get my best tips on getting lean, boosting energy, and living longer.

Join us here 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

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80% of desk workers do these for 60 seconds. The other 20% will live longer.

Watch the video. These two moves will save your spine, keep your shoulders healthy, improve posture, and also help improve your chances at longevity.

The Bar Hang:
• Decompresses your spine after 8 hours of sitting
• Opens up shoulders hunched over keyboards
• Strengthens grip (predicts longevity better than blood pressure)
• Hold for 1-2 minutes

The Asian Squat:
• Reverses hip tightness from chair prison
• Mobilizes ankles destroyed by dress shoes
• Strengthens knees most people can't bend past 90°
• Hold for 1-2 minutes

My CEO clients laughed when I showed them this.

"That's your secret weapon?"

6 weeks later:
• Back pain gone
• Can touch their toes again
• Energy through the roof
• Feel 10 years younger

Your body wasn't designed for 8 hours in a chair.

These 4 minutes undo 8 hours of damage.

One opens what sitting closes. The other strengthens what sitting weakens.

Do them daily. Your spine will thank you at 70.

✍️ How long can you hold each one?

♻️ Share with someone living at their desk.

- Dan

Ps. Join 450,000+ desk workers reclaiming their bodies and operating at their fullest potential:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Something I've realized in my 20 years of coaching is that your physical health equals your mental health.

When I was sedentary, eating a horrible diet, not getting enough sleep, and drinking alcohol regularly, it would often come with anxiety, negative thoughts, and ruminations. 

The first thing I did to clean up my act was start an exercise routine.

As I went to the gym, I found that my brain felt lighter, and I was starting to feel motivated. 

One thing led to another, and here I am writing this to you on LinkedIn. 

You can build a better brain by building a better body. 

If you don't believe me, try it out for yourself. You may be surprised at what you find. 

♻️ Share with someone who needs this wake-up call.

- Dan

Ps. Want the exact blueprint Jason used to transform?

Join 450,000+ choosing better every day 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Everyone wants the shortcut. The pill. The hack. Here's what 20 years of coaching taught me:

The basics work. They've always worked.

But people hate them because they're boring.

You know what's not boring?

• Having energy to play with your kids at 45
• Thinking clearly in every meeting
• Never worrying about your blood work
• Feeling stronger at 50 than you did at 30
• Actually enjoying how you look in photos

I've watched hundreds of entrepreneurs transform their lives with these 5 simple habits.

Not supplements. Not biohacks. 

Just the unsexy stuff that actually moves the needle.

The hard truth: Your problems aren't that complicated.

Your solutions aren't either.

You just don't want to do the work.

Start with one. Then add another. In 6 months, you'll be unrecognizable.

Or keep searching for magic. Your choice.

♻️ Share with someone looking for the secret (it's not a secret).

- Dan

Ps. Getting in shape is simple and fun. Join 460,000+ learning how 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

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The Deathbed Calculator: How Many Years Your Current Habits Are Stealing (With Proof)

My 52-year-old client just discovered he'd been trading 14 years of his life for convenience.

The math was brutal:
- Daily alcohol: -4.6 years
- Poor sleep habits: -2.8 years 
- Zero strength training: -3.2 years
- Processed food diet: -2.1 years
- 4000 steps a day: -2.5 years

He thought he was "just living life."

Turns out he was financing his early death on a payment plan.

Here's what most people miss: Your body keeps a running tab. Every skipped workout. Every late-night scroll. Every "just one more drink."

The compound interest on bad habits is death.

But here's the plot twist – the math works both ways:

Start lifting 3x weekly: +2.5 years
Fix your sleep: +2.1 years
Cut the booze: +3.8 years
Walk 8,000 steps: +1.9 years
Eat whole foods: +2.3 years

That's 12.6 years added back. In 90 days.

My client's now deadlifting his body weight and playing with his grandkids. At 55, he's younger than he was at 45.

The calculator doesn't lie. Your habits are either deposits or withdrawals.

Which account are you funding?

♻️ Share with someone who needs to see their numbers.

- Dan

PS. Ready to flip your health metrics before 2025 ends?

Join 460,000+ entrepreneurs getting my weekly optimization strategies:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

A broom handle just fixed my CEO client's 10-year back pain in 47 seconds.

Not kidding.

After spending $10,000 on chiropractors, and massage therapy, a $5 broom handle did what nothing else could.

The move: Kneeling T-Spine Rotation.

Here's why 90% of desk workers have garbage posture:

Your thoracic spine (mid-back) is locked up from 8+ hours of hunching. When it can't rotate, your lower back and neck compensate. Hello, pain.

The 47-second fix:

1. Sit on a bench
2. Place broom handle across your upper back
3. Place a foam roller or pillow between your knees
4. Rotate your body (see video)
5. 10 reps each side

That's it. No gym required.

My client's results:
- Week 1: "Feels weird but good"
- Week 2: "Standing taller without trying"
- Week 3: "Haven't touched ibuprofen"
- Month 2: "Best I've felt in a decade"

The uncomfortable truth:

You're spending thousands on complex solutions when a broom handle and 47 seconds would fix it.

Your spine doesn't need another gadget. It needs to move the way it was designed to move.

Watch the full demo in the video above. Your future self will thank you.

♻️ Share with someone living on painkillers.

- Dan

Ps. Want more 1-minute health fixes that actually work? 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

People ask me how I stay lean year-round as a dad while running multiple businesses.

Here's the truth: I don't negotiate with myself.

My daily non-negotiables:

· Exercise
· No meals past 6pm
· Hydrate with water
· Give value to people
· Eat a nutrient dense diet
· Write at least 500 words
· Read at least one chapter
· Sleep at 10. Wake up by 6am.
· Always breathe through my nose

Most people think this list is extreme.

I think waking up tired, sick, and unmotivated is extreme.

The difference between successful people and everyone else isn't talent.

It's having standards you refuse to break.

Every item on this list serves a purpose:
- Exercise = Mental clarity
- 6pm cutoff = Better sleep
- Writing = Clear thinking
- Nose breathing = Calm nervous system

These aren't restrictions. They're my operating system.

When you make health non-negotiable, success becomes inevitable.

Your standards become your life.

What are yours?

♻️ Share with someone who needs higher standards.

- Dan

Ps. Building non-negotiables changed my life at 40. Learn how 460,000+ are doing it 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

My client dropped 18 pounds in 6 weeks drinking water at weird times.

She'd tried everything. Keto. Intermittent fasting. 10,000 steps. Nothing stuck.

Then we tested something stupidly simple: Strategic water timing.

The protocol in the image changed everything.

Here's the science most people miss:

Drinking water during meals forces you to eat faster which interferes with your digestive process.

But water BEFORE meals? Different story. Increases satiety hormones. You eat 22% less without trying.

Water between meals kills fake hunger. Most "hunger" is just dehydration wearing a disguise.

The morning water hydrates you better than coffee.

My client went from constantly snacking to forgetting food exists. Her energy doubled. Bloating vanished.

The Lean Body Water Method isn't sexy. But it works.

Because sometimes the answer isn't another $200 supplement or biohacking gadget.

It's the stuff that's been free all along.

♻️ Share with someone who needs to stop overcomplicating weight loss.

- Dan

PS. Want more simple protocols that actually work?

Join 460,000+ entrepreneurs getting lean without the BS:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

My client lost 30 lbs and made an extra $1.2M last year. Not a coincidence.

"I can't focus after lunch," he told me 18 months ago. Running a $2 million company while falling asleep in meetings.

His day: 
- Skip breakfast
- 4 coffees by noon
- Crash at 2pm
- Work until midnight (poorly)
- Repeat

We fixed his body first. Business followed.

Started simple:
- Protein breakfast daily
- Gym 3x/week
- 8 hours sleep
- Walk during calls

Month 3: Down 15 lbs. Stopped the 2pm crashes.
Month 6: Down 30 lbs. Working 2 fewer hours, getting 2x more done.
Month 12: Best revenue year ever.

Here's what nobody tells you about fitness and money:

Energy = Better decisions
Confidence = Bigger deals close easier
Discipline = Systems that scale
Health = People trust you with their business

My highest-earning clients aren't the smartest. They're the ones with the most energy.

You can't negotiate million-dollar deals when you're fighting to stay awake.

The math:
Gym membership: $100/month
Healthy food: Extra $300/month
Energy to close one more deal: Priceless

Your body is your #1 business asset. Everything else is secondary.

Period.

♻️ Share with an entrepreneur choosing between gym time and "grinding."

- Dan

Ps. Ready to 10x your energy AND income? Join 460,000+ subscribers who are getting fit and making more money 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

"I need to lose 20 lbs fast." Every January 2nd email ever.

Here's exactly what I'd do. No BS. No magic pills.

• Zero alcohol for 90 days
• 10,000 steps every single day
• Lift weights 4x/week (3 is maintenance, 5 is overkill)
• Sleep 7-8 hours (non-negotiable)
• Replace snacks with water
• Real food only. If it has a commercial, skip it.

That's it. That's the whole system.

My client Sarah followed this exact blueprint:

Week 1: "This is too simple to work."
Week 4: Down 6 lbs
Week 8: "My jeans are falling off."
Week 12: Down 22 lbs, deadlifting her bodyweight

The uncomfortable truth:

Everyone wants the complicated solution because simple feels too easy.

Keto? Intermittent fasting? Carnivore? 
Cool. But unnecessary.

You know what works. You've always known.

The gap isn't information. Its execution.

90 days. 6 rules. Zero excuses.

Most people will read this and look for something more complex.

The ones who just screenshot it and start tomorrow? They'll be shopping for new clothes by April.

Patience isn't sexy. But neither is yo-yo dieting for the next decade.

Pick simple. Stick to simple. Win with simplicity.

Period.

♻️ Share with someone overcomplicating weight loss.

- Dan

Ps. Want to get in your best shape in 2026? Join 460,000+ doing it right 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

A CEO client just turned 52. His doctor gave him two options:

"Start medication for your heart, or start moving."

He chose both cardio AND weights. Smart move.

Everyone's arguing about cardio vs weights. They're missing the point.

Here's what actually happens:

Cardio only = You'll outlive your friends but need help opening jars
Weights only = You're strong until your heart says "nope" at 65
Both = You're the 90-year-old still crushing life

The math is simple:

3x week cardio = Heart that won't quit
3x week weights = Body that won't break
6 hours total = Decades of independence

My client who started this at 52:

Month 1: Could barely walk up stairs
Month 6: Deadlifting his bodyweight
Month 12: Off heart medication
Today: Planning to hike Machu Picchu at 55

The uncomfortable truth:

Every workout you skip is a vote for a weaker future.
Every workout you complete is compound interest for your body.

Stop picking sides in a war nobody wins.

Your heart needs cardio.
Your muscles need weights.
Your future needs both.

Period.

♻️ Share with someone still choosing teams.

- Dan

Ps. Your body is keeping score. Join 460,000+ subscribers winning the health game 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

I just turned 46. Here’s what your 40s are trying to tell you:

Your metabolism didn’t slow down. You did.

Your back doesn’t hurt from age. It hurts from sitting.

You’re not too old to build muscle. You’re too inconsistent.

Your energy isn’t gone. It’s buried under poor sleep and stress.

At 46, I’m stronger than at 26. Better cardio than 36. More muscle, less medication, zero excuses.

The difference? I stopped negotiating with the basics: Lift heavy. Walk daily. Sleep 8 hours. Eat protein. Repeat forever.

Your 40s aren’t your decline. They’re your wake-up call.

Answer it.

If you’re tired of fitness programs that don’t work for busy entrepreneurs...

I've developed a system that fits into your demanding schedule.

Follow me and DM "SYSTEM" to learn more 👊

(For entrepreneurs, founders, and executives only)

JbMzBf1Rg

Everyone else is coasting into 2025. I'm about to disappear.

Starting today through March 31st, I'm going full monk mode.

Here's my non-negotiable protocol:

• Zero alcohol 
• Social events: 
• No processed sugar
• 1000 words written before 8am daily
• 10 minutes meditation 
• No foods after 6pm
• Business meetings that matter only

My friends think I'm crazy when I tell them this:

"Dan, it's the holidays! Everyone's slowing down!"

Exactly.

While they're nursing hangovers, I'm in the gym at 5am.
While they're scrolling, I'm writing my next book.
While they're "starting fresh in January," I'm already 90 days ahead.

Last year during monk mode:
- Lost 12 pounds of pure fat
- Wrote 45,000 words
- Had record income months
- Actually enjoyed Christmas (present, not buzzed)

The best part? My family gets the real me. Not the stressed, distracted, half-present version.

This isn't about being antisocial. It's about being intentional.

I've done this for 5 years straight. Each time, I emerge sharper, leaner, and light years ahead of where I started.

2026 isn't built in 2026. It's built right now.

The question is: Will you coast or create?

✍️ What's one thing you'll sacrifice for the next 90 days to level up?

- Dan

Ps. Want the exact monk mode protocol I'm following?

Join 470,000+ high performers getting my proven strategies 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Before finding the gym, I was a massive screw-up. 
 
My life consisted of working a job I hated, playing video games to pass the time, and drinking to the point of getting blackout drunk with my friends every week. 
 
When I found the gym and started to exercise, my world changed. 
 
I started to think more positively. I started to find my self-worth. 
 
Strength training gave me energy and confidence. 
 
Nutrition helped me focus and reduce my anxiety. 
 
The actions that get you in shape are the same ones that change your brain and improve mental health. 
 
If you're stuck in life, try focusing on your health and body. 
 
Good things happen when you get healthy. 
 
✍🏼 Agree or disagree? 
♻️ Reshare if this was helpful. 
 
- Dan 
 
Ps. If you liked this post you'll enjoy my newsletter. 
 
Every week I share tips on how to get lean, boost energy, and live longer. 
 
Join 460,000+ subscribers here 👇🏼

https://lnkd.in/gSFC9CMU

I spent 20 years as a meathead who thought cardio was for quitters.

Could bench 1.5x and deadlift 2.5x my bodyweight. But walking up one flight of stairs? Winded.

That wake-up call hit at 42. I was strong but would struggle running a 5k.

So I swallowed my pride and started walking. Then sprinting. Then Zone 2 cardio.

The changes shocked me:
• Energy through the roof
• Mood more stable than ever
• Can outlast guys half my age
• Feel better at 45 than I did at 25

I still lift heavy 3x a week. But now I do cardio 3x.

Turns out I was only training half my body. The weights gave me better years. But the cardio? That's giving me more years.

Doing both is giving me the best years.

Your muscles might impress at the beach. Your heart determines if you'll make it there.

♻️ Share with anyone who needs to do more cardio

- Dan

Ps. Want to improve your healthspan and lifespan?

Join 450,000+ subscribers who are living longer and improving the quality of their lives.

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

My client Marcus lost 30 pounds in 90 days.

But the real transformation? He discovered why he'd been fat for 20 years.

Week 1: "I'm too busy to meal prep."
Reality: He spent 3 hours daily scrolling social media.

Week 3: "I don't have time for the gym."
Reality: He had time for 2 Netflix episodes every night.

Week 5: "My genetics are against me."
Reality: His diet resembled that of. a7 year old adult.

Week 7: "I can't give up beer with the boys."
Reality: He was drinking alone most nights.

Here's what hit him hardest:

Every excuse was a lie he'd been telling himself.

The weight wasn't his enemy. His stories were.

Once he saw the truth, everything changed:

• Social scrolling → Walking
• Netflix binges → Cardio
• Solo beers → Sparkling water

The fat melted off. Not because of some magic diet.

But because he finally stopped lying to himself.

Getting in shape is a psychological process disguised as a physical one.

Your biggest weakness isn't your body.

It's the stories you tell yourself about why you can't change.

Drop the stories. Drop the weight.

♻️ Share with someone who needs to hear the truth.

- Dan

Ps. Join 460k high performers crushing their excuses and fitness goals 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

This one exercise should be mandatory for every desk worker.

I do it every single day. Takes 90 seconds. Fixes 8 hours of damage.

The Cat-Cow stretch.

Here's why it works:

Sitting compresses your spine by 40%. Your discs get squeezed like toothpaste tubes. Blood flow drops. Nerves get pinched.

Cat-Cow reverses all of it:
- Decompresses each vertebra
- Pumps fresh fluid into discs
- Mobilizes your entire spine
- Activates deep core muscles
- Resets your nervous system

The benefits compound:
• Back pain disappears
• Posture improves naturally
• Energy increases (better oxygen flow)
• Focus sharpens (spine-brain connection)
• Stress melts away

How to do it:
1. Get on all fours
2. Arch your back up like a scared cat (exhale)
3. Drop your belly down like a cow (inhale)
4. Flow between them for 10-15 reps

That's it. No equipment. No gym. Just movement.

My 38-year-old client was hobbling around his office due to his bad back. Three weeks of Cat-Cow every morning, and he's feeling pain free.

His chiropractor asked what changed. He laughed and showed him this simple stretch.

The best solutions aren't complicated. Your spine just wants to move how it was designed to move.

Not locked in a chair for a third of your life.

♻️ Share with someone whose back is killing them.

- Dan

PS. Want my complete desk worker recovery protocol?

Join 460,000+ subscribers getting it this week:

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

December 5th. While everyone is waiting for January to make changes you could show up 10 pounds lighter and ahead of the pack.

December is "separation season". While everyone is getting lazy and enjoying the holidays, you are creating an unbreakable foundation. 

My client Marcus did this last December. Lost 15 pounds, doubled his energy, and closed his biggest deal of the year on December 28th.

The December Domination Protocol:

Every. Single. Day:

- No alcohol
- Lift 3x a week
- Walk 10k steps
- Limit social media
- Read a chapter a day
- Reach out to 5 people
- Set a goal and do one thing every day to achieve it

Do these non-negotiables until the end of December.

No days off. No excuses. No "I'll start tomorrow."

The math:
31 days × 45 minutes = 23.25 hours total
23.25 hours = Complete physical transformation
January 1st = You're already 27 days ahead

Most people will screenshot this and wait until Monday.

Some will try it for 3 days and quit.

Winners started their plan before finishing this sentence.

By New Year's Eve, you'll either be transformed or full of excuses.

Your competition is planning their resolutions. You'll already be living yours.

💪 Who's in? Comment "DAY 1" and let's dominate December together.

- Dan

PS. Want the advanced version with my exact meal plans?

Join 460,000+ high performers:

https://lnkd.in/gSFC9CMU

If you sit at a desk for 8+ hours a day, this 60-second stretch will save your posture.

My client Mark, a 42-year-old CEO, couldn't raise his arms above his head without pain.

Years of hunching over his laptop destroyed his posture.

His shoulders rolled forward. His back rounded. He looked 10 years older.

Then I showed him the overhead lat stretch.

Here's how:
- Find a bench, couch, or desk
- Place your elbows on the surface
- Walk your feet back
- Drop your head between your arms
- Push your chest toward the floor

Hold for 60 seconds. That's it.

Mark did this every morning before his first Zoom call.

Week 1: "I feel like I'm standing taller"
Week 2: "I can finally sit up straight"
Week 4: "People keep asking if I got taller"

He didn't get taller. He just stopped carrying his desk on his shoulders.

Most people think bad posture is permanent after 40.

It's not. Your lats are just locked up from years of typing.

This stretch unlocks them in 60 seconds.

Do it now. Your future self will thank you.

♻️ Share with someone whose shoulders live at their ears.

- Dan

Ps. Fixing your posture fixes your energy. Join 460,000+ discovering how 👇

https://lnkd.in/gzyviRFf

Career Strategist I Change advisor for Leaders | I help successful professionals build freedom, income & impact through portfolio careers | Speaker I Ex-Citi COO | Follow for modern leadership, career and change

Over the past 25 years, I have built a successful international banking career.
Most recently, I was the Regional COO for Citibank’s $2Bn business across 16 countries in Asia - leading large-scale transformations in digitisation and culture.

But in 2021, I walked away from my high-paying executive role.

Why?

Because I wanted more space.
More time with family.
More alignment between who I am and how I work.

But I didn’t want to start from scratch.
So I asked myself a question:
What if I could build a career around everything I already know - and love?

That’s how my portfolio career began.
And it changed everything.

Now, I help other professionals do the same.

What I’ve built since 2021:
→ A 6-figure portfolio business with 3 income streams
→ Founder of Change is Possible - a business community for professionals redesigning their next chapter
→ 100K+ LinkedIn followers (grew from 17K in under a year)
→ Coached 100+ professionals through successful career transitions
→ Host of a Top 20 global podcast on career change, Change is Possible
→ TEDx speaker, Forbes columnist, and Bloomberg TV guest

Want to build your own portfolio career?
🚀 THE PORTFOLIO CAREER ACCELERATOR (Launching October 2025) 
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1thkmph_EwRxLGfuL9muCsRir1uKDdF2nXYeI7X_1oSA/edit

This is an 8-week program designed to help you:
→ Turn your expertise into income
→ Build a personal brand that opens doors
→ Create your first income stream - even before you leave your job

Only 20 spots. 12 already claimed.

Other ways we can work together:
✔️ Join my business community — Change is Possible https://changeispossible.co.uk/ - doors open for new members on Sept.10, 2025
✔️ Book me to speak — I deliver keynotes on leadership, change, career reinvention, and the future of work - send a DM.
✔️ Hire me as an advisor — I support companies navigating complex transformation - send a DM to meet and explore.
✔️ Book 1:1 coaching — For senior execs ready to design their next chapter - send a DM.
✔️ Book my LinkedIn Growth Bundle — A 2-session intensive where I teach you the exact system I used to grow to 100K+ followers. Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bLp7wmK8xhIpfFu8beImvD5JZQHYsbraTBx5Orjx0zs/edit

P.S. Still wondering if change is really possible?
🎧 Tune in to my podcast Change is Possible — where 100+ professionals share how they redesigned their careers and lives. Watch here - https://www.youtube.com/@ChangeIsPossiblePodcast

Ani Filipova

Isn't it wild how society tries to map out our timelines even before we are born???

They literally have a checklist for your entire life:
Graduate by 22.
Married by 30.
Kids before 35.
Peak career by 45.
Then coast.

I broke every single rule.

💥 Had my kids at  40 - the doctor said - “geriatric.”
💥 Left my COO job at 51 - everyone thought I was crazy
💥 Gave my first TED Talk at 51.
💥 Launched my company at 52, 0 entrepreneurial skills.
💥 Started my podcast at 52 - with 0 podcast experience.
💥 Started my membership community at 54.

Now at 55?

- Writing my first book.
- Building my first portfolio-career accelerator.
- Creating something entirely new.

And I’m just getting warmed up.

You know who else refused to follow the timeline?

‼️ Vera Wang - entered fashion at 40. Built an empire.
‼️ Arianna Huffington - launched HuffPost at 55. 
‼️ Julia Child -  published her first cookbook at 50. 
‼️ Trinny Woodall - restarted at 53. 

These aren’t exceptions.
They are evidence.

Evidence that the “timeline” is complete BS.

I spent decades believing I was “too late.”
Too late for kids. Too late for change. Too late to matter.

But timing isn’t about age.
It’s about readiness.

And readiness isn’t something you wait for.
It’s something you decide.

Society will tell you there’s an expiration date on dreams.
Your family will remind you of your responsibilities.
Your mind will list every reason to stay put.

Meanwhile, life is happening.
Right now.
While you are waiting for permission.

Want to know how to actually restart?

1️⃣ Give yourself permission to want more.
Stop apologising for your ambitions.
The desire to grow doesn’t have an expiration date.

2️⃣ Use your so-called disadvantage as data.
At 55, I can’t compete on energy with 30-year-olds.
But I have 25 years of patterns they haven’t lived yet.
Your age isn’t a weakness. It’s intelligence.

3️⃣ Surround yourself with evidence, not doubt.
Unfollow the voices saying it’s too late.
Follow people who started later and won bigger.
Your environment shapes your belief in what’s possible.

The world needs what you’ve learned.
Your scars. Your failures. Your late-blooming wisdom.

Stop letting society’s timeline be your truth.

You are not too late.
You are exactly on time.
For your life.

💭 What’s one thing you’d start this year if age didn’t matter?
💾 Save this for the days doubt creeps in
♻️ Share with someone who thinks they missed their chance
➡️ Follow me, Ani Filipova, for real stories about breaking timelines

Thank you, Betsy Tong, for the image which inspired this post!

Some leaders read numbers.

Great leaders read people.

Perfect reminder from Mike Leber here.🔥

I've watched this truth play out for 25 years.

Like the manager who noticed her star performer started arriving at 9:00 instead of 8:30.
Small change. Big signal.
She asked. Her child was seriously ill.

Most leaders would've missed it entirely.
They are too busy reading KPIs to read people.

Throughout my 25 years in banking, I've watched brilliant strategists fail at basic humanity.
They master management but miss what matters.

Real leaders don't talk about empathy.
They practice it.

Here is how👇

1️⃣ They notice when something's off
The forced smile.
The heavy silence.
They check in before it breaks.

2️⃣ They ask before they act
No assumptions. No judgment.
"What's making this hard for you?"
Understanding beats assumption every time.

3️⃣ They protect dignity, not egos
Direct? Always.
Demeaning? Never.
Growth can't bloom in shame.

4️⃣ They slow down when others struggle
Compassion > urgency.
One person lifted beats ten tasks completed.

5️⃣ They normalize honesty
No masks. No pretending.
They make it safe to say: "I'm not okay today."

6️⃣ They stay kind under pressure
When kindness is hardest -
that's when it matters most.

7️⃣ They understand you carry more than tasks
Sometimes it's grief.
Sometimes it's fear.
Sometimes it's just life being heavy.
They lead with space for all of it.

The uncomfortable truth?

Experience teaches you process.
Empathy teaches you to understand people.

One builds companies.
The other builds humans who happen to work at companies.

We all get to choose which leader we become.

Which number resonated most with you?
Mine was 5 - took me years to learn that one.

Drop yours below 👇

♻️ Repost to spark more humanity in leadership
🔔 Follow Ani Filipova for uncomfortable truths about modern leadership and career

Today and any other day, you have a choice about the 80/20 principle.

You can use it to do less.
Or you can use it to become more.

We read about success. 
Dream about change. 
Talk about our goals.

We feel like we are doing something.
And we are.. but what?

The business plan you’ve perfected but never launched.
The gym membership you researched but never use.
The conversation you've rehearsed but never had.
The course you bought but never completed.

We spend 80% of our time on the 20% that makes us feel productive, while avoiding the 80% that would actually make us successful.

Why? Because the real work is uncomfortable:

→ Understanding deeply requires much more effort 
→ Doing the work is scarier than dreaming about it
→ Listening is more vulnerable than waiting to speak
→ Eating well consistently is harder than scrolling  
→ Building savings is less fun than investment strategies

Here is what I know:

You already know what your 80% is.
You know the conversation you need to have. 
You already know he habit you need to build. 
The thing you need to stop researching and start doing.

So the only thing left to do is to stop deceiving yourself.

Because once you prioritise the 80%, everything else genuinely does fall into place.
Not because it's easy. But because it's real.

💭 What's the 80% you've been avoiding?
💾 Save this for when you need to stop researching and start doing
♻️ Share with someone stuck in the 20%

Image credit: librarymindset on IG

JSESSIONID

li_at

Talks about #leadership, #careerpivot, #futureofwork, and #transformation

Tetty Delviana

You tell yourself: "I just need better time management."

So you try: 

Waking at 5am. 
Time-blocking. 
Batching tasks. 
Saying no to "small things."

And you are still exhausted. 
Still overwhelmed. 
Still behind.

Because you don't have a time management problem.

THE REAL PROBLEMS you have are:

1. The Boundary Problem
You say yes when you mean no.
Your calendar is full of other people's priorities.

2. The Priority Problem
Everything feels urgent because nothing is defined.
You are reacting, not choosing.

3. The Identity Problem
You are the "reliable one."
The one who always covers when someone's out sick.
The one who stays late to fix others' mistakes.
And rest? Rest feels like failure.

4. The Energy Problem
You treat draining, sustaining, and energising tasks the same.
So you stay depleted.

5. The Clarity Problem
You've met expectations for so long that you lost your own.

6. The Courage Problem
You know what needs to change - but you are waiting to stop being afraid.

So what actually helps?
A simple reset:

The Three Lists Exercise:

List 1: What drains me
(The work, people, commitments that leave you depleted)
List 2: What sustains me
(Neutral energy - necessary but not inspiring)
List 3: What energizes me
(You'd do this even if no one paid you)

Most professionals discover their calendar is:
60% drain / 35% sustain / 5% energise.

No wonder they are exhausted.

Ready to flip that 60/35/5 ratio?

Here's where to start:
→ Take 30 minutes this week
→ Create your three lists
→ Move ONE thing from "drain" to "delegate"

That's it. One small shift.

Because your life won't change until your calendar does.

I spent 15 years in corporate before learning how to build and rebuild a career without burning out. If you are tired of being tired, this will help:

→ Free masterclass: How to start a portfolio career
(Link in featured section)

💾 Save this for later
♻️ Share with someone running on empty

Throughout my career I have seen two types of leaders: 

Type 1:
Those who develop thinkers and problem solvers.

Type 2: 
Those who hoard every decision.

The second type? They are everywhere.
Every decision needs their blessing.
Every email needs their approval.
Every idea dies without their permission.

They think they are indispensable.
They are actually organizational bottlenecks.

The good thing? 
We all get to choose which one we become.

Here is how to become the first type of leader:

1️⃣ Turn questions into coaching moments 

When someone asks "What should I do?"
I ask: "What would you recommend?"
Then I listen.
Nine times out of ten, they know exactly what to do.
They just need someone to believe they can do it.

2️⃣ Show them how you think, not just what you think 

Don't just give answers - share your process.
• What information do you look for?
• Which factors matter most?
• How do you make trade-offs?
When your team understands your thinking pattern, they stop needing you for every decision.

3️⃣ Disappear on purpose 

Every Friday - be completely unreachable.
Not to test them - to trust them.
First week: They'll hesitate.
Second week: They'll figure it out.
Third week: They'll surprise you with what they can handle.
Eventually, you can take that whole day off without drama.

The uncomfortable truth?

Organizations don't need more managers who create dependencies.
They need leaders who build capability.

Your real job isn't to have all the answers.
It's to develop people who can find them without you.


💾 Save this for when your ego wants to micromanage
♻️ Share with that leader who thinks they are "helping" by controlling everything

Follow me, Ani Filipova, for more uncomfortable truths about leadership and change.

Every week, I meet someone who wants change.

This is what they say:

- "I'll change when things calm down at work." (work never calms down)

- "I'll start posting once I'm clear on my message." (clarity comes from posting, not before)

- "I just need to do more research." (research becomes a hiding place)

- "I should wait until the kids / partner / parents settle first." (this is how we outsource responsibility for our own life)

These are all forms of self-protection disguised as logic.

Here's what I've learned:
The problem isn't lack of time, 
money, or clarity.
It's self-sabotage. 
Very clever, very respectable self-sabotage.

We do everything except the one thing that would actually move us forward.

I've fallen into these traps more times than I care to admit. 

So today, I'm sharing the 4 patterns that keep us stuck and how to break them: 
• Productive procrastination 
• Waiting 
• Moving the finish line so you never have to start
• Staying so busy you never have to commit

But here’s what kills me:
Each pattern feels so respectable.
So responsible.
So… smart.

You are researching! 
Planning! 
Networking! 
Preparing!

Everyone thinks you are crushing it.
Meanwhile you are dying inside because nothing actually changes.
......
If this hits a nerve, good.
Because awareness is only half the work - change starts with action.

That’s exactly what I’ll be teaching in my free live masterclasses this month:
1️⃣ Future of Work & Job Trends - learn what to expect and how to prepare
🔗https://lnkd.in/gT5S8Sbs

2️⃣ How to Build a Portfolio Career - turn your experience into a personal brand and multiple income streams
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gf-ifWqj

💭 Which pattern do you recognise most? (Be honest.)

💾 Save the carousel - you’ll need it when courage finds you.
♻️ Share with that brilliant friend who’s been “planning” forever.
➡️ Follow me, Ani Filipova, for more uncomfortable truths about career, leadership and change

Swipe to see the 4 patterns I see.

Most people don't dare to challenge their boss.

Not because they lack ideas.
But because they've seen what happens to the people who do.

"I disagree because...."
Eye roll. Heavy sigh.
"I have more experience. I know this won't work."
Conversation over.

Or sitting in a high-stakes meeting where the senior exec chair gives suggestions.
Never asks for opinions.
And when someone tries to speak?
Immediate shutdown.

If you are a leader and everyone nods at all your ideas…
That's not leadership.
That's obedience.

It's easy to lead people who agree with you.
It takes guts to lead people who challenge you.

Real leadership isn't tested by how well people follow your vision.
It's revealed by how safe they feel questioning it.

So how do you become that kind of leader?
These 3 behaviours make the biggest difference:

🛠 1. Ask for the objection
Stop asking: "Any thoughts?"
Start asking: "What might be wrong with this idea?"
People are more honest when you invite critique, not validation.

🛠 2. Speak last
If you speak first, most people will try to agree with you.
You'll kill fresh thinking before it starts.
Say less → hear more → lead better.

🛠 3. Praise the pushback
Reward the people who disagree with you,
especially when it's uncomfortable.
Your reaction to dissent teaches the whole team whether it's truly safe to speak up.

Remember: the goal isn't harmony.
The goal is better thinking.

Think of a leader you once felt safe challenging - 
What exactly did they do that created that safety?

👇 Share the behaviour so others can learn from it.

📑 Save this to revisit before your next meeting.
👥 Follow me, Ani Filipova, for daily content on Leadership, Career and Change.
📩 Want deeper weekly insights? Subscribe to my newsletter, The Change Blueprint - link in my Featured section.

I love working with optimistic people.

Here is why.

Pessimists and optimists look at the same challenge…
and see completely different worlds.

The pessimist sees every problem as "end of the road".
The optimist sees every problem as a puzzle to solve.

The pessimist says, “That won’t work because…”
The optimist asks, “What if we tried…?”

So - can optimism be learned?
Yes. But not in the way most people think.

What CAN’T be taught:
• Your instinct to see possibilities vs problems
• Your natural response when things go wrong
• Your baseline emotional wiring

What CAN be learned:
• Interrupting negative thought patterns
• Choosing a different perspective intentionally
• Practising optimistic responses until they become habit

Some people are naturally optimistic.
Others train themselves into optimism through repeated practice.
For most of us, it’s both.

Here’s the part people forget:
You can’t just decide to be optimistic and expect it to stick.

You have to:
• Catch yourself in negative loops
• Actively reframe
• Surround yourself with optimistic people
• Build evidence that things work out

And this is exactly what I see inside my community every day - optimistic people building portfolio careers, choosing courage over comfort, and turning setbacks into stepping stones.

It’s pure magic to watch!!!

✨ The community opens for new members on Monday, November 24th. This is the last time we are opening this year.

If you are ready to surround yourself with people who see possibilities instead of problems, this is your moment - join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/gKeB77z9

🔔 Follow Ani Filipova for more on building careers with freedom.
♻️ Share this with someone who needs a boost today.

9:00 AM: "This is urgent."
9:05 AM: "Actually, THIS is super urgent."
9:10 AM: "Wait, THIS is the MOST urgent."

Sound familiar?

Meanwhile, your team?
Same 8 people as yesterday.

They can stretch.
They always do.

But physics doesn’t care about urgency.
There's a breaking point.

Then comes the magic phrase:
 “Manage it.”

Manage WHAT exactly?
The 47 "urgent" requests that came in today?
The team that's already working weekends?
The fact that everything can't be priority No.1?

I spent 25 years watching this circus.
Leaders who pile on work like they are playing Tetris.
Teams drowning while executives debate "resource optimization."

Reality check: 

Your team isn't a resource to optimize.
They are humans with a fixed capacity for miracles.

As a leader, YOU own this mess.
Not your team. Not "the business." You.

Stop saying "manage it" and start doing your actual job:

I created a carousel breaking down exactly how urgency tricks your brain and what to actually do about it.

The psychology behind why we fall for it every time.
The deadline games people play.
The dopamine trap that keeps you hooked on urgent tasks.

But most importantly - how to break free from the urgency addiction.

Because when everything is urgent, nothing is.

And your team? 

They are not machines you can overclock indefinitely.
They are humans who need leaders brave enough to say: "No, that can wait."

Swipe through the carousel for the full breakdown on beating the urgency trap.

Your sanity (and your team's) depends on it.

💾 Save this + the carousel for your next priority pile-up
♻️ Share with someone drowning in "urgent" requests
➡️ Follow me, Ani Filipova, for truths about modern leadership and career

The people most committed to your failure often wear the warmest smiles.

The saboteur appears helpful.
They are  "concerned" about you.
They want to "mentor" you.
They are "protecting" you from failure.

"Oh, I thought someone told you."
"No offense, but..."
"I'm just trying to help."
"Don't take it personally."

Because of all this:

→ You question your own competence
→ You work harder to prove yourself
→ You become grateful for crumbs
→ You apologize for existing

These are the tactics they use:

1. The visibility trap
2. The communication sabotage
3. The idea laundering
4. The information blackout
5. The resource starvation
6. The impossible timeline
7. The gaslighting special
8. The social engineering
9. The attribution shift
10. The isolation protocol

If you recognised yourself in any of these, you are not crazy.
You are being played.

Wait. There's a plot twist.

SOMETIMES THE SABOTEUR IS ...YOU
When you internalise their tactics and start doing their work for them.
When you silence yourself before they even have to.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

🛡️ Create Your Paper Trail
• BCC yourself on important emails
• Summarize verbal conversations in writing
• Keep a private log of incidents with dates

🚪 Build Your Escape Routes
• Find sponsors outside your direct chain
• Create visibility beyond your saboteur's reach
• Strengthen peer relationships across departments

🧠 Stop Gaslighting Yourself
• That feeling something's off? It is usually correct
• Stop explaining away red flags
• Your instincts evolved for a reason - use them

The hardest truth about workplace sabotage?

It's done by people who smile at you daily.
Who ask about your weekend.
Who bring you coffee.

Because sabotage isn't about hate.
It's about fear.

Fear that your light might dim theirs.

Which tactic is happening to you RIGHT NOW?
Drop the number - and let's correct it!

♻️ Repost to help someone trust their instincts
👥 Follow me, Ani Filipova, for truths about career, leadership and change

P.S. Done playing defence in a game you can't win? The Portfolio Career Accelerator starts January 26th. Build your escape route while you still have options:https://lnkd.in/gw-h7p5h

Job security isn't earned. 

It's engineered.

Most professionals spend decades being loyal, working late, hoping their company will protect them.

Then layoffs hit.
The 20-year veterans get cut first.
The "indispensable" people discover they weren't.
The loyal ones learn loyalty doesn't pay bills.

Meanwhile, there's another breed of professional.

You know those people:
↳The ones who always seem to land on their feet.
↳They switch jobs during a recession 
↳They get headhunted for roles you didn’t even know existed.
↳ They are asked to speak at conferences, join advisory boards, get introduced to “the right people.”

And you wonder: How?

Is it luck? 
Better connections? 
Being in the right place at the right time?

Maybe.

But maybe they've figured out something most people miss:

Security isn't about working harder.
It’s about engineering visibility, value, and options ...
... long before you need them.

They are not luckier.
They are simply playing a different game.

If you are building real career security, revisit this list every quarter. 👇
9 invisible traits of professionals who never worry about job security:

1️⃣ They know their unfair advantage
2️⃣ They treat their career like a business
3️⃣ They have multiple income streams
4️⃣ They stay visible outside their company
5️⃣ They invest in relationships, not transactions
6️⃣ They know their market value
7️⃣ They solve problems, not just do jobs
8️⃣ They keep learning publicly
9️⃣ They diversify their identity

None of these requires permission from your boss
But building them requires intention.

Job security isn't about finding the right company.
It’s about becoming the person companies fight to keep,
or better yet, the person who doesn’t need them to.

If one trait jumped out at you, tell me why - your perspective will help others reading this.

💾 Save this to revisit during your next career audit
♻️ Share this with someone who’s playing it too safe
➡️ Follow me, Ani Filipova, for more uncomfortable truths about modern careers

---
P.S. I’m hosting a free live masterclass tomorrow on the job and career trends in 2026.
If you want to go deeper into these you are welcome to join us: https://lnkd.in/gT5S8Sbs

How do they do that??

We all have days when we lose perspective. 

When that happens, a few simple reminders can save the whole week.
Here are 10 that save me every time👇

1️⃣ You don’t have to have it all figured out
It took me 2 years to leave my corporate job.
And another 2 to figure out my portfolio career.
I’m still figuring it out, and I enjoy my life far more

2️⃣ Healing takes time, be patient
Some days you feel strong.
On other days, you feel broken.
That doesn’t mean you are not healing; 
it just means you are human.

3️⃣ Kindness is free
Not everyone deserves your energy.
But kindness?
Give it freely. It makes you feel better too.

4️⃣ Not every action needs a reaction
You don’t need to reply to every email in 2 minutes.
You don’t owe everyone a reaction.
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is ....nothing.

5️⃣ Everyone’s journey is different
A CEO at 25 - great and kudos!!
At 45, finally doing what you want - even better!
One is fast. One is deep. Both are valid.

6️⃣ Smiles are contagious
You smile at someone, and they smile back 
(most of the time).
It’s that simple.
And science agrees.

7️⃣ Your thoughts shape your reality
If you keep telling yourself “I’m stuck,”
you’ll stay stuck.
But try saying, “I’m learning.” Watch what happens.

8️⃣ It’s okay to start over again and again
Changed your mind? Good
Changed direction? Better
Changed careers? Best
Every restart is an upgrade.

9️⃣ There is no timeline for your life
Society's schedule is made up.
Marriage by 30? Says who??
Success by 40? Define success.

🔟 Letting go is brave
That job. That one-sided relationship. That old story.
If it’s weighing you down, it’s time.
Let go, not to give up, but to make space.

The most successful people I know needed these reminders the most!
Because success without peace is just expensive misery.

Which one did you need today?
Mine was 4 - it has been a tough week.

Drop yours below - let's remind each other we are not alone.

♻️ And if you know someone who needs this, send it to them today.
🔔 Follow me, Ani Filipova for more reminders like this.
--
📌 Join my newsletter “The Change Blueprint” 
Free tools and frameworks to help you win at work and life 👉https://lnkd.in/gzDCH9t9

The Executive Committee seat
The six-figure salary.
The CEO on speed dial.
The business-class flights.

I had all of it as a Regional COO at Citibank.

But I couldn’t control my own time.

And after 25 years in corporate, I learned something uncomfortable:

There are two types of wealth.
Most people only chase one.

-> Bank Account Wealth:
What everyone sees.
What everyone measures.
What everyone envies.👇
Your salary, savings, and assets
Your job title

-> Calendar Wealth:
Who decides your Tuesday afternoon?
Can you leave early without asking permission?
Do you choose your meetings or do they choose you?

The uncomfortable truth:
My bank account peaked when my calendar wealth hit zero.

Every promotion meant more money.
Every promotion meant less autonomy.

Regional COO at Citibank.
$2B business. 16 countries.
Couldn't control my own calendar.

Golden handcuffs are still handcuffs.
Just more expensive.

When I left in 2021, people thought I'd lost my mind.
"You are walking away from all that?"

I wasn't walking away.
I was walking toward something.

Built relationships beyond company walls.
Developed skills the company didn't own.
Created value beyond my job description.

Now I control both types of wealth.

Not because I chose one over the other.
But because I stopped believing it was either/or.

You can have financial security AND freedom.
But only if you build them intentionally.

Most professionals optimise for the paycheck.
Then wonder why success feels like prison.

Your company rents your time.
Don't let them buy your freedom.

If you are ready to build both types of wealth apply for the The Portfolio Career Accelerator: https://lnkd.in/g8bpRmYN

♻️ Share with someone trading their freedom for a paycheck
🔔 Follow Ani Filipova for uncomfortable truths about modern careers

I spent 3 years "thinking about" leaving Citi.

You know what changed?
Not my clarity. Not my confidence. Not some magical moment of readiness.

I scheduled time to work on it.
That's it.

The most boring, trivial action turned out to be the most important one.

Big changes don't start with a vision board or a business plan, or finally "figuring it all out."

It starts with putting something - anything - in your calendar and actually showing up for it.

90% of career changes die in Google Docs.
Not because people lack courage.
Because they lack calendar time.

I see so many brilliant people stuck in the pre-planning phase. 
Thinking about it.
Dreaming about it.
Never starting it.

If that's you, I put together a carousel that breaks down the 6 boring habits that make change inevitable - from scheduling time to work on it to tracking tiny wins.

Most people have the research, the spreadsheets, the ideas.
What they don't have is the calendar time.

You show up to meetings you don't want to attend. 
Why not show up for yourself?

If you want to move forward, try this:

- Pick one tiny action
- Schedule it within the next 7 days
- Treat it like a dentist appointment: unmissable

Put 30 minutes in your calendar this week.
Any day. Any time.
Just show up.

Most people stay stuck because their calendar never changes.
If you needed this reminder - save it.

♻️ Share with that brilliant friend who's been "planning" forever
➡️ Follow me, Ani Filipova, for more uncomfortable truths about making real change

---

P.S. If this post hit home, you’ll love the two free masterclasses I’m hosting this month 👇

1️⃣ Future of Work & Job Trends — what’s coming next and how to prepare
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gT5S8Sbs

2️⃣ How to Build a Portfolio Career — turn your experience into a personal brand and multiple income streams
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gf-ifWqj

Swipe through to see what changed.

Your title was never your power.
The company just let you borrow it.

The day you leave corporate, you learn a terrifying truth:
Your badge gets deactivated - but your capability doesn’t.

When I left, I genuinely thought nobody would speak to me anymore.

No title.
No budget.
No org chart position.
Just me and whatever I could carry in my head.

Then I discovered something:

Everything I’d learned.
Everything I’d built.
Every pattern I’d spotted over 25 years…
It was all still mine.

The “power” I thought I’d lost?
I’d never actually owned it.
It belonged to the logo on my business card.

Real power - the kind that travels with you - works differently.

Here are the 7 power principles every professional needs when they step out of their job and title:

1. Control your narrative
My title disappeared.
My story became my new currency.
“I help professionals build portfolio careers” replaced “Regional COO at Citibank.”
Clarity beats prestige every time.

2. Stay hyper-visible
Inside corporate, visibility is automatic.
Outside, it’s a choice.
I posted daily, spoke at events, taught what I knew.
113K followers later, visibility became my new infrastructure.

3. Maintain your alliances
I didn’t vanish.
I stayed connected.
Those relationships became my first clients and my strongest advocates.
Your network doesn’t care about your employment status.

4. Own a niche
Generalists survive in corporate.
Generalists disappear outside it.
I picked one problem: helping professionals build portfolio careers.
Focus created magnetism.

5. Build value assets
Not skills. Assets.
Frameworks. Systems. Repeatable solutions.
Things that aren’t generic — and aren’t replaceable.

6. Make reputation your résumé
Citibank used to vouch for me.
Now my results do.
100+ professionals transitioned.
6-figure portfolio careers built.
Proof is the new endorsement.

7. Own who you are now
I stopped leading with “I used to be a COO.”
I started leading with the value I create today.
Confidence signals power more than any title ever could.

Jeffrey Pfeffer puts it bluntly:
“Titles create position power. Real power comes from personal assets and social capital.”

Your expertise doesn’t expire when your badge stops working.
Your value doesn’t shrink when you walk out that door.
It becomes fully yours.

These 7 principles aren’t theory.
I used them to rebuild my own career  and now they are the foundation of my Portfolio Career Accelerator.

8 weeks.
20 professionals.
Starting January 26.

If you want a career that travels with you, we build it step by step. Apply for the accelerator here: https://lnkd.in/g8bpRmYN

♻️ Share this with someone questioning their value outside corporate
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Never say this when they ask, "What's your weakness?" in interviews.

The cliché humble-brags:

“I work too hard.”
“I care too much.”
“I’m a perfectionist.”
“I’m always pushing myself.”

I've heard it thousands of times.

If you are still saying these things 
You are telling me you lack self-awareness.

25 years in Senior Leadership and COO at Citibank.
Interviewed more people than I can count.
Almost everyone bombs this question.

Watch this video for the exact formula that actually works.

But here's a preview:

Pick a REAL weakness.
But be strategic about it.

Going for a sales role? Don't say you are shy.
But maybe admit you used to avoid difficult conversations with underperforming team members.

Then - this is crucial - show me the system you built to fix it.

Not "I'm working on it."
Show me the solution.

I used to say:
"I took on too much myself instead of delegating because I wanted to ensure quality. But I realized this was limiting my team's growth. So I created weekly planning sessions where I assign tasks based on each person's development goals. Now my team delivers better results and I can focus on strategy."

Real weakness ✅
Real impact ✅  
Real solution ✅

The interviewer doesn't care about your weakness.
They care if you can spot problems and solve them.

Show them you can do both.

💾 Save this for your next interview prep
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You can know your stuff inside out…
and still sound unsure when it matters.

I learned this the hard way.

There were moments in high-stakes rooms:
I walked out, replaying every sentence…
cringing at how I softened my point…
knowing I’d unintentionally undermined myself.

Here’s the truth:

If you sound unsure, people assume you are unsure 
even when you are absolutely not.

And smart people lose influence because of how they speak, not what they know.

Over the years, I started spotting the phrases that were weakening otherwise excellent professionals.

Here are 12 phrases that make smart people sound less smart  and what to say instead 👇

❌ “I just think…”
✅ “Here’s what I see.”

❌ “Maybe we could…”
✅ “Let’s try this approach.”

❌ “Sorry, but…”
✅ “Let me add something here.”

❌ “Does that make sense?”
✅ “Let me know if you want me to go deeper.”

❌ “I’m not sure, but…”
✅ “Based on what I know…”

❌ “I’m no expert, but…”
✅ “From my experience…”

❌ “This might be a dumb question…”
✅ “Here’s something I’m curious about.”

❌ “Hopefully, we can…”
✅ “Our goal is to…”

❌ “I think we should…”
✅ “I recommend we…”

❌ “I feel like…”
✅ “What I’m seeing is…”

❌ “It’s kind of like…”
✅ “It’s similar to…”

❌ “We could maybe look at…”
✅ “Let’s explore…”

Small shifts in language → big shifts in presence and authority.

If you want to communicate with confidence in high-stakes rooms, this is exactly what we train inside my Portfolio Career Accelerator - where our speaking and communication module is led by Julian Treasure, the voice expert behind 40 million TED Talk views.
Apply here:
https://lnkd.in/g8bpRmYN

🔁 Share this to help more people sound as smart as they truly are.
👥 Follow me, Ani Filipova for daily content on Leadership, Career and Change.

Courage looks good on everyone.
But most people never wear it.

Not because they lack bravery -
But because they’re practising courage on the wrong things.

You are being courageous about your boss’s opinion.
About disappointing your parents.
About what LinkedIn might think.

Meanwhile, you are being a coward about your own life.

Courage isn’t a lightning bolt.
It’s a muscle - built in tiny, uncomfortable reps.

This is what I know about courage:

1. Most people treat courage like enlightenment
waiting for the moment they feel different.
But courage works like going to the gym. 
You don't wait until you feel strong to lift weights.

DO THIS: Name one thing you'd do if fear weren't a factor. 
Now do it afraid.

2. You are confusing courage with certainty
Certainty is knowing the outcome. 
Courage is moving without it.
Every career shift I made came with zero guarantees.

DO THIS: Write "I don't know if this will work, but I'm going to try _______."

3. Train your courage when the stakes are low.
You can't build courage on the biggest decision of your life.
That's like training for a marathon by running a marathon.

DO THIS: Practice "courage sprints"
Say "I disagree" in low-stakes meetings. 
Wear the bold outfit. 
Speak first on Zoom.

4. Courage is tolerance, not confidence
You don't need to feel confident. 
You need to tolerate discomfort.

DO THIS: Build your tolerance like altitude training. 
Start with 30 seconds of vulnerability (a slightly honest post). 
Next week, 2 minutes (a hard conversation). 

5. Courage is contagious - so is cowardice
Your five closest friends are your courage ceiling.

DO THIS: Audit your circle. 
How many made a big change in 3 years? 
Zero means you are in a comfort cartel, not a courage ecosystem. 
You need 2 people who scare you with their boldness.

Courage compounds.
Every uncomfortable moment makes the next easier.

Stop waiting to feel brave.
Start with 5 minutes of discomfort today.

The life you want isn't waiting for you to feel ready.
It's waiting for you to act anyway.

💾 Save this for when comfort feels safer than growth
♻️ Share with someone who needs permission to be uncomfortable
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That email just hit your inbox.

"Performance Review Season - please complete by December 15th."

Your stomach drops.

Not because you didn't deliver.
But because you already know how this goes:

• You scramble to remember your wins.
• Your manager is too busy to spare enough time 
• Nothing actually changes.

Here's the truth:

Performance reviews fail because nobody prepares.
Not managers. 
Not employees.

This is the ONE moment all year where someone MUST pay attention to your career.
Don't waste it!

🟢 MANAGERS: 
Your best people are deciding whether to stay based on this conversation.
Great leaders don’t walk into reviews hoping for clarity.
They walk in prepared to give it.

🔵 EMPLOYEES: 
Create a presentation with a summary of your wins.
Send it 48 hours before the meeting.
Not for them - for you:
• Your track record
• Your negotiation leverage
• Your ammunition for the next opportunity

I created a step-by-step guide for both sides:

For Leaders →
• The 48-hour prep framework
• How to steer the conversation
• Follow through after the review

For Employees →
• How to prepare
• What to do during the review
• What to do AFTER (where 95% drop the ball)

Swipe through the carousel for the full playbook.

Your review is in 3 weeks.
Your preparation starts now.

💾 Save this before your review
♻️ Share with someone who deserves better this year
Follow me, Ani Filipova, for insights on Modern Career and Leadership

Save this for your upcoming review!

At 55, this man created the world’s most famous drink.

Before that?
He was wounded, addicted, broke and completely lost.

EARLY LIFE

John Pemberton earned a medical degree at 19.
Opened a pharmacy.
Looked like he had life figured out.

Then the American Civil War hit.

THE FALL

He fought for the Confederates.
Got slashed across the chest with a sabre.
Barely survived.
And became addicted to morphine while recovering.

His life completely fell apart.

REINVENTION 1

After the war, he went back to being a pharmacist.
Started experimenting with alternatives to morphine.
Searching for anything that could help him rebuild his life.

REINVENTION 2

At 54, he invented “Pemberton’s French Wine Cola.”
Yes - it contained coca leaf extract.
Yes - it was legal.
And yes - it was his first real breakthrough.

Then Atlanta banned alcohol.

Another reset.

THE ACCIDENT AND REINVENTION 3

While trying to make a non-alcoholic version…
He accidentally mixed his syrup with carbonated water.

That “mistake” became Coca-Cola.

THE HARD TRUTH

He died two years later.
Never saw the billions his invention created.
Never saw the global domination.
Never saw the legacy.

FINAL TAKEAWAY  

Your timing isn’t the problem.
Your age isn’t the problem.
Your starting point isn’t the problem.

Your breakthrough might just be hidden inside your next pivot.

As someone who changed careers at 50 after 25 years in banking - I’m living proof.

If you are reinventing your career, follow me - this is the space I help you win in. 
Follow me here →Ani Filipova

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