Find canvases for other people to paint on.
Ryan Holiday in Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
The strategy is fairly simple: if you want to advance your professional life, join an organization and focus your efforts on building others up while expecting nothing in return. As they improve, you will be propelled forward, too.
It’s a generous, liberating approach. For me, it means I don’t have to lead a company at 25. Maybe I can work some gritty jobs for the next few years and focus my efforts on supporting others on their journeys towards “success.” In the process I’ll learn a lot and build trust with my superiors and coworkers.
A lot changes when you don’t need material wealth, honor, or excessive self pride. Give me an apron and some steel wool and I’ll find you some canvases to paint on. Helping people make art is about as close as you can get to God.