I grew up being told, “If you work hard and put your mind to it, you can do anything.” Looking back, I realize that’s the kind of advice meant to keep us grinding in the system—a cog in the capitalist machine, feeding the tax base and someone else’s bottom line. After decades of costly mistakes, psychological growth, mentorship, coaching, building businesses, and networking, here’s what I’ve learned: My biggest breakthroughs have never come from just “working hard & putting my mind to it.” They’ve come directly from the rooms I put myself in and the people I surrounded myself with. Their insights, their unique knowledge and way of looking at things have helped me grow & become more knowledgeable & more profitable in life & in business! Here’s my real lesson: Your environment is everything. The right community doesn’t just give you answers—it challenges your thinking, supports your growth, and expands what you believe is possible. What rooms are you putting yourself in? Who’s challenging you to level up?