How backwards advice stole 8 months of my life

Jun 25, 2025 12:41 am

I used to follow backwards advice.


Spent 3 months "perfecting" my portfolio. Another 2 months optimizing my resume. 3 more months sending applications into the void.


8 months total. Zero results.


Here's what that backwards approach actually cost me:


Time Cost: 15+ hours weekly on applications = 480+ hours wasted


Opportunity Cost: 8 months at below-market salary = $20,000+ left on table


Emotional Cost: Constant rejection and self-doubt


But here's the hidden cost nobody talks about: momentum.


Every month you spend following backwards advice is another month your dream companies are building relationships with other designers.


While you're competing with 1000+ candidates for posted roles, they're becoming the only choice through Relationship Momentum.


The Industry's Profit From Your Pain:


Here's why the career industry keeps teaching backwards advice:


  • Resume writers make $200-$500 per "optimization" when you think resumes get you hired
  • Portfolio coaches charge $1,000+ for "perfect presentations" when portfolios don't decide hiring
  • Job boards collect $400+ per posting from companies and $50+ monthly from desperate designers
  • Career coaches bill $150/hour teaching you to "network better" instead of strategic relationship building


They profit when you stay stuck following backwards advice.


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Here's the ROI of backwards thinking vs Relationship Momentum:


Backwards Approach ROI:

  • 480+ hours invested = $0 return = -100% ROI
  • 8+ months searching = $20K+ opportunity cost
  • Success rate: 2% response rate from applications


Relationship Momentum ROI:

  • 90 days investment = $10K+ salary increase = 500%+ ROI
  • 5-10 hours weekly strategic relationship building
  • Success rate: 30% response rate from strategic outreach


This is why I created the Career Creator Way.


Not as another course or program, but as a complete rejection of the industry's backwards thinking.


Tomorrow I'll show you the 3 pieces of backwards wisdom that keep designers stuck for months or years.


Stop wasting time on backwards advice.


Joseph


P.S. Want to stop wasting time on backwards approaches? Reply "MOMENTUM" and I'll show you how the Career Creator Way works.

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