If I could hop into a time machine and sit down with the younger version of myself, before CancerGeek was even an idea, and talk to the guy who was just starting out caring for cancer patients, I’d have a lot to say. The working world has changed massively since I first started my career. Between hybrid schedules, social media, and constant digital noise, starting a career today can feel completely overwhelming.
Looking back on my journey from working at a patient's bedside to sitting at the Chief Medical Officer desk, three big lessons stand out. Whether you are launching your first job or looking to make a major pivot, here is the honest advice I would give myself if I had to start all over again.

Just say yes.

When you are new to the professional world, you don’t know what you don’t know. Too often, people try to map out a strict five-year plan (FYI: that plan always ends up veering off course). The quickest way to grow isn't a perfect strategy but rather an open mind.
The things that accelerated my career the most happened because of my willingness to say yes**.** If a new project came up, if an unexpected opportunity knocked, or if something just made me curious, I raised my hand. Saying yes forces you out of your comfort zone and helps you learn skills you didn't even know you needed. For me, this mindset was the exact bridge that took me from a hands-on clinical role to an executive leadership position.
While it is important to set healthy boundaries, make sure it is not to the detriment of your growth. As career experts often note, saying yes to new challenges builds your risk-taking muscle and puts you on the radar of senior leadership. Early in your career, use "yes" to build your foundational capital.

Name your inner critic.

We all have a voice in our head that asks, "Are you really qualified for this?" It usually gets loudest right when we take on a big new responsibility. That's when imposter syndrome kicks in, and it can be a scary thing. For years, I let that voice dictate how I felt. That was something I addressed in a previous blog I wrote.
In hindsight, I realized the secret isn't trying to make that voice disappear completely. Instead, it's about changing how you react to it.
My advice to today’s professionals is to identify and name your inner critic as early as you can. Legendary marketer Seth Godin refers to this as the "lizard brain": the simple act of treating that negative voice like a separate entity rather than absolute truth. Once you name it, it loses its power over you. Once you know what it is and can recognize it, it becomes much easier to ignore, move past the self-doubt, and make confident choices.

Focus on consistency.

We are constantly bombarded with the advice to bring your whole, authentic self to work. It sounds great on paper, but let’s be honest: we don’t want authenticity, we want consistency.
Think about it practically. If I have a stressful morning, get a traffic ticket, or am just in a bad mood, my team doesn’t actually want me to show up to a meeting crabby and unfiltered. They need me to do my job.
The same applies everywhere. If you are sick and end up in the hospital, you don’t want your doctor or technician reflecting their personal stress or heavy emotions onto you. You want them to be professional.
Seth Godin breaks this down perfectly. He argues that true professionalism isn't about doing whatever you feel like doing; it's about consistent emotional labor and keeping your promises, even when you don't feel like it.
There is a natural tension between personal branding and individual authenticity. Your professional brand isn’t built on showing off your fluctuating daily moods. It’s built on showing up reliably, predictably, and consistently for the people who depend on you.

The bottom line.

If I were starting over in today's world, I wouldn't stress about finding the "perfect" career path. I would focus on action. Say yes to the projects that scare you, label your inner critic so it stops holding you back, and focus on being reliable. Consistency will beat performative authenticity every single time.
Ultimately, the workplace will always change, but the value of human trust never does. When you focus less on how you feel in the moment and more on how you show up for others, the career path tends to take care of itself.
Career advice at the N of 1.

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