“Making it” can take on many meanings. To some it can be as simple as having a job in a field of their choice. To others, rising to the top of the field of their choice would be making it. Another variation would be attaining a certain position in that field.
Acclaim may play a role, yet others are happy to operate behind the scenes. Digital operations and activity offers both of these roles and a multitude of other jobs spanning the distance between the highest profile and the least known.
An extremely accomplished friend, known in certain circles for his historic work in the development of the Internet in its early days and many projects since, recently sent an email to a group of his friends and colleagues. It announced his retirement from his day-to-day position in a five-years-in-development startup company, and his plans to pursue projects that interest him, engage his curiosity, the sort of things that, “no investor or employer would sensibly fund.” He would remain available (“deeply engaged”) to his current firm that he’d helped found. He noted that, “we’ve invented a heck of a great technology base, but the primary task of the enterprise has shifted away from invention to building and evolving.” Then came what struck me as a key phrase, perhaps giving insight into the sort of person he is:
Those of you who have known me in other companies know that my work usually precedes public disclosure.
This was his way of acknowledging that while he was leaving day-to-day operations, his phase, his critical contribution, was early invention and development. Productizing and roll outs of releases will occur, much of which will bear the fruits of his labors. But the key point here is that his major efforts are completed.
This is a man who has made it. Made it in many ways, has some degree of renown, and yet with this email sent around to his friends, he was modest and seeking respect for privacy, as he gave his new email address with a career and life change update.
From New York City The Digital View of Making It
by Dean Landsman