For many high achievers, the path to success was forged with one guiding principle: “Work hard, keep your head down, and good things will come.” This mindset—rooted in justice, fairness, and a tad of magical deliverance—was passed down by well-meaning parents and mentors who did their best with what they had. It worked for survival. But today, in high-pressure spaces, this approach leaves us unprepared, invisible, and fighting for scraps while others lap us.

A scarcity mindset keeps you small. It whispers there isn’t enough to go around—whether it’s money, opportunities, or recognition—so you cling to what you have, hoping it’ll all work out. But let’s face it: “Keeping your head down” doesn’t get you promoted, noticed, or invited into the rooms where decisions are made. Instead, you’re left advocating after the bull$##$ has already happened—after the deal fell through, your contributions were overlooked, or someone else claimed the spotlight.

I’m all-out against advocating. By the time you’re advocating, you’re already losing ground. Instead, I believe in strategizing and positioning—principles rooted in a wealth mindset and the cheat codes the top 1% use. They don’t wait for fairness to find them; they engineer their success by showing up, speaking up, and securing leverage ahead of time.

Let’s talk numbers: A study by Thomas Corley found that 79% of wealthy individuals consistently network, ( or work on upgrading their social and executive skills) while only 16% of those struggling financially do. This isn’t magic—it’s positioning. Meanwhile, the scarcity mindset has high achievers:

• Overworking for minimal return
• Feeling guilty for wanting more
• Believing their excellence will “speak for itself” (it won’t)
• Staying silent when decisions are being made

In my work, I help high achievers release the “work harder” script and replace it with strategy. We identify blind spots, clear emotional roadblocks, and intentionally move forward. We build wealth—financially, emotionally, and mentally—by focusing not on fairness or fate but on preparedness and positioning.

A mindset rooted in fairness might feel noble, but fairness doesn’t build empires. Strategy does. It’s time to stop waiting for your magic moment and start engineering it. Show up with clarity, claim your space, and let’s ensure you build a life aligned with your talents, your gifts, and your joy.