When Did You Realise No One Was Going to “Just Notice”?

For years I believed that doing great work would speak for itself. Then I watched others step into opportunities I knew I could deliver—often with stronger results—and felt irritated and confused.

Eventually it clicked: doing the work is one job; making the work visible is the second. I resisted that for a long time. It felt like wasted effort—especially when I’d seen loud self-promoters rise despite mediocre output. I didn’t want to be that person.

But here’s the reality: people are busy. They’re not spending their day thinking, “I wonder what excellent work Michelle has done lately.” Attention is scarce. Time is tight. A little thoughtful visibility helps others understand who can contribute and where.

It’s still not my natural strength, but I’m no longer waiting for recognition to arrive by magic.

What about you?
When did it hit you that “being brilliant” isn’t enough? Was there a moment you were passed over—and what did you change?