Whenever I hit a wall in business, my first instinct used to be to open Google. I’d type in things like how to grow fast or how to stay consistent—hoping the right article or video would hand me the magic formula.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to realize: Google gives you information, not transformation.

The kind of lessons that actually shift your mindset and your business? Those come from people. From real conversations.

Just yesterday, at a conclave I was part of, I was hit with this all over again. The room was full of people sharing experiences—not polished advice, not copy-paste success quotes—just honest truths. And honestly, it was powerful.

One person said something that stuck with me: consistency beats talent, beats strategy, beats everything. No shortcuts. No hacks. Just showing up, day after day.

Another reminded us that sometimes the profession chooses you. You may think you’re chasing a career, but in reality, the work you’re meant for pulls you in.

Then came stories about finding opportunities in crisis—like during COVID. What looked like the end for many actually became a starting point for others who dared to pivot.

Someone else said, with complete conviction, that listening to your heart matters more than following the rules. And another reminded us why it’s worth believing in doing good—even in business. Because doing good is not just noble—it’s smart. It attracts the right people, the right energy, the right opportunities.

You won’t find this kind of stuff on a search results page. You’ll only find it in moments when people let their guard down and share what really shaped them.

And walking out of that room yesterday, I realized this: the biggest game-changer in my own journey has never been Google. It’s been people. Listening to them, learning from them, and letting their stories challenge the way I see things.

Because success doesn’t just come from what you know. It comes from who you learn it from.