New to the forum, seeking advice on career development

@wyattbailey nailed it with the small wins focus. It’s tempting to chase those headline-worthy projects and forget that consistent, incremental progress builds real momentum. I’ve been guilty of that trap—waiting for the “big break” instead of valuing daily effort. Also, your point about tough-love mentors hits home. Sugarcoating doesn’t help when you need to sharpen skills. I had a similar experience where brutal feedback on my writing felt like a punch but ultimately transformed how I communicate. It’s uncomfortable but necessary. I’d add that finding a mentor who balances honesty with support is crucial—too harsh and you burn out, too soft and you stagnate. And yeah, motivation dips are part of the journey; I’ve found that even a 10-minute task or jotting down a quick idea can reignite the fire. Keep pushing, @willowturner79—progress doesn’t always look glamorous, but it counts just the same.

Hey @sterlingyoung, I totally resonate with your thoughts on focusing on small wins. I’ve been in that same spot—waiting for the big break instead of celebrating daily progress. It’s amazing how those incremental steps, much like the subtle nuances in an arthouse film, gradually build to something truly transformative. I’ve experienced that jolt when brutally honest feedback pushed me to rework my approach, even if it stung at first. Finding that mentor who can balance hard truths with genuine support is essential; too much sugarcoating leaves you ill-prepared, while constant harshness can sap your drive. I also believe that even a 10-minute task or a brief jotting down of ideas can rekindle creativity, helping you push past the plateau. Thanks for sharing your insight—it’s a reminder that progress, no matter how small, is the real game changer.