12 Uncomfortable Truths You Need to Know if You Want to Be Successful

Imagine if you, Mr. or Ms. Mid-Career Entrepreneur or Professional, could roll back the clock and restart your career. Imagine if you could take all your learnings from the last several decades and start all over again. How much further ahead would you be at your current age? Imagine all the frustrations you could save yourself!

Luckily for those just starting out, you can spend the next five minutes reading what follows to save yourself a little heartache. Because I'm about to tell you the 12 things almost nobody around you will ever talk about. Yes, we're about to talk "third rails."

These third rails will come with no explanation—because truths need no explanation. They just...are. If you agree (or disagree), let me know in the comments. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to identify with several of the ones I list below.

1. People who complain the most at work usually get the most.
2. Bosses play favorites.
3. You'll be hit by at least one but most likely two big tragedies in your life while working.
4. Some of the most successful people have the worst personal lives.
5. There will be days when you think of work first, before your children.
6. Everyone uses their children as an excuse to get out of work at least three times a year.
7. The older you get, the more you'll understand what discrimination means.
8. About 5 percent of the people in your office are sociopaths.
9. People rarely do anything for you, whether it's investing in your company or promoting you, because of the reason you think.
10. People often reject the things you want for precisely the reason you think. They'll just never tell you.
11. The most important factor in whether your company will be successful or not is access to capital.
12. You'll become a lot smarter about life and work by checking out our videos on Radiate.

Yes, the last one is a plug for my media education company, which you've almost certainly heard of by now. At Radiate, we talk to some of the smartest business leaders in the world—then share their know-how with you.

We've got so many great guests coming up. I can't wait to share their insights with you. But in the meantime, I want to know: What uncomfortable truths have you learned in the course of your career? Let me know in the comments.

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