It’s Lonely at the Top - But Here’s What I Learned
Are you doing what you love and are you really happy?
It’s a question we all ask ourselves at some point, but the answer isn’t always as clear as we might hope. For years, I believed I was. As a creative in advertising and later as a Creative Director and agency founder, I loved my work—most of the time. On paper, it was the career I dreamed of. But looking back, I now realise the price I paid was higher than I’d ever expected.
One lesson stands out: It’s lonely at the top.
I’d heard this phrase before but didn’t fully understand it until I experienced it myself. The higher you climb, the more isolated you can feel. When you become a boss, your working relationships naturally shift. Socialising, lunch breaks, and after-work drinks invites from colleagues dwindle as they are typically the times your team uses to vent work frustrations. When I started my career, I was on one side of this fence, and later on, I was on the other. No one prepares you for this big shift.
That’s why this year has been such a revelation to me.
Becoming a professional magician has not only redefined what I do, but it’s also reminded me of what truly matters. Friendships, not career success, are what bring lasting joy. Working relationships can be lovely, but friendships are for life.
Magic has taught me to 'do me'. It’s incredibly creative: storytelling, people management, persuasion, and exploring how our minds work. Magic isn’t just about performing tricks. It’s about playing with perception and creating moments of wonder. I love working with people, reading their reactions, and seeing them get lost in the magic.
Good to See You Again, Tim!
Take last Friday evening, for example. I had the pleasure of performing close-up magic at The Magic Circle again, where I bumped into tim williamson , an old colleague from my advertising days. Tim brought along some friends, and we had a chance to chat after the show. It reminded me how powerful reconnecting with old friends can be - and how unexpected life’s twists and turns can bring us back together.
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Working as a magician may sound solitary, but for me, it’s been far more social than I ever imagined. This year, I’ve reconnected with so many people I hadn’t seen in years, and it’s my new profession that has opened those doors.
Magic has also given me fresh perspectives on creativity, storytelling, and understanding the human mind - insights that I’ve found resonate in business settings, especially with teams looking to innovate or think differently.
So, to answer my own question: Yes, I’m doing what I love. And yes, I’m happy.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that staying true to yourself and nurturing real friendships matters more than climbing to the top. Careers can come and go. Friendships are for life.
Have you found joy in an unexpected career change or reconnected with someone in a surprising way? I’d love to hear your story.
#DoWhatYouLove #LifeLessons #CareerChange #Creativity #LeadershipDevelopment #EventSpeaker #HumanConnection #MagicCircle #Inspiration
Award-winning freelance copywriter
2 个月I first saw Brian perform as a stand-up comedian when we both worked at Publicis advertising agency. I can’t think of many things more challenging than performing in front of your workmates, so I was surprised at how hilarious his act is. Many years later I’ve now seen him perform as magician. And this time I’m gobsmacked. Because I don’t know he hypnotised me and my mates into believing he could achieve the impossible. And although he’s supposed to be a mate, I hope he doesn’t mind if I horrendously torture him. It’s the only way he might reveal how he did those tricks. Maybe you might have a clue when you go to see him – I’d recommend it as a thoroughly entertaining evening. ???