Since 2019, I’ve been awarding The Ryland Consulting Prize to first-year computer science students at Nottingham Trent University.

In its first year, three students received the prize.

Since then, it’s grown to awarding seven students across the varying computer science clusters.

It’s been so rewarding to meet and chat with these award-winning students!

Along with presenting the prizes and standing for that classic “you’ve just signed at a new football club” handshake photo, I’ve had the privilege of sharing some of my career insights and experiences.

I know how guest speakers changed my trajectory for the better, so I hope in doing the same, I’m able to become a part of their origin story — of how they went on to do great things.

Seeing those same awarded students return to award the prize to new students would be a perfect full-circle moment.

This is exactly what I’m building up to.

A self-fulfilling movement.

Paying it forward.

For this year’s talk, I decided to share 10 laws that will completely change their career trajectory.

But why just share with those in the room?

So here are my 10 laws for you too.

Law #1: Your best is beyond your comfort zone

When I was six, I wanted to be a bin man.

Yep, a bin man.

Why?

They were always so cheerful, driving those massive trucks and waving at everyone like local celebrities.

That might have been my first “comfort zone’ dream—but life nudged me to aim beyond it.

Now, at 34, I’ve built a multi-six-figure agency and co-founded a music tech startup.

It all happened because I kept leaning into challenges that felt massively uncomfortable.

Whether it was asking for projects I wasn’t “ready” for, or stepping into situations I thought were beyond me, I learned that growth always hides outside your comfort zone.

So ask yourself:

What’s one thing outside your comfort zone that you could try today?

Law #2: Take initiative to get noticed

Back when I was a junior web developer at an agency, I got the opportunity to rebuild the Tomb Raider website for a cool £20k.

At the time, I was earning £20k a year.

So here I was, as a junior, being trusted with a project that matched my entire yearly salary.

Why did I get that chance?

Because I asked.

I put my hand up and said:

“Can I take this on?”

Taking initiative might feel risky, but it’s the quickest way to stand out.

If there’s a project, problem, or opportunity that excites you — even if it scares you — go for it!

You’ll thank yourself later.

Law #3: It’s not about the mistakes, it’s how you fix them

Let’s talk mistakes.

There was this one time I built a fancy carousel for a client’s homepage.

Everything tested fine — until the American client called saying:

“The homepage is broken.”

Cue panic attack.

Turns out, the code wasn’t working in a browser we hadn’t tested.

Oops!

After calming myself down, we got to fixing the issue.

Ultimately, it’s about how quickly we fix the mistake.

Mistakes are inevitable—especially if you’re in your first role.

Therefore, focus on owning it and fixing it.

When you take responsibility and find the solution, you not only grow—you build trust.

Law #4: Get comfortable with failure

Failure is a part of the journey to success.

My first job out of university was as a dual junior designer and developer.

Every year, this organisation gave a calendar to its members — all 3,000+ of them.

I got to design this calendar.

But as a designer, sometimes you’re so focused on the layout, shapes, and colours that you forget to check spelling.

Yes, that’s right.

I spelt Wednesday wrong.

Duplicated it 12 times.

It went through three proofreaders and got printed 3,000+ times.

3,000 x 12 mistakes.

Get comfortable with failure.

It’s literally a part of the journey to success.

Law #5: Everybody feels imposter syndrome

(When you doubt your abilities)

Lewis Capaldi, Scottish singer-songwriter and musician, shared on his Netflix documentary about the struggles he’s experienced.

Every time he walked into a room, his imposter syndrome made him feel like those in the room hated him.

How crazy is that?

For such a talented individual, negative thoughts can still be there.

He was honest and open enough to share it.

I’ve also felt imposter syndrome:

“You’re not good enough to be in this role.”

“You’re not good enough to lead people.”

Most people feel some level of imposter syndrome — they just don’t often share it.

Face the fear and do it anyway.

Lewis did exactly that.

Confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself.

It’s about showing up despite the doubts.

Keep going, and eventually, you’ll prove that negative inner voice wrong.

Law #6: Grit is greater than talent

Grit is the combination of passion and perseverance.

It will carry you much further than talent alone.

Deploying grit keeps you pushing through setbacks, learning from failures, and trying again.

Starting a business, scaling it, navigating tough clients — grit was my fuel through all of it.

So if you ever feel like you’re not the most “talented” person in the room, remember:

Grit can outlast talent any day.

Law #7: Creativity is a muscle

Creativity isn’t just about art — it’s how you solve problems or come up with ideas.

The more you use it, the better it gets.

I entered my first hackathon a few years back.

I created an AI drum pattern generator and won first prize for being the most fun!

In the next hackathon, I came up with a Rick-and-Morty-themed X-Factor competition that would rate a GitHub README file based on the hackathon’s scoring criteria.

I used GPT-3.5 and MidJourney to make a Rick-and-Morty-inspired Simon Cowell that gave feedback in a sassy way.

It was super creative and fun to build.

My creativity has grown from years of experimenting with design, tech, tools and off-the-wall ideas.

Whether you’re coding, designing, or brainstorming, flex your creative muscle daily.

It’ll surprise you.

Law #8: Manage up

When you land your first job, learn to manage up.

Ask your boss:

• What does success look like to them?
• What’s their preferred communication style? (Slack? Emails? Video calls?)
• What’s their personality? (Myers–Briggs? Neurodivergent? Do they prefer audio over text?)

Use this information to adapt.

Helping your manager succeed will make you stand out — and make your life easier.

You can also apply the same questions to clients.

I remember asking a client what their preferred communication style was, and they were positively surprised - no one had ever asked them that before.

Such a simple thing to ask with great upside.

Law #9: People can’t lead you to where they’ve never been

Opinions are everywhere.

Not everyone’s advice is equal.

If you’re looking to build a business, seek mentors who’ve actually done it.

Early in my journey, I reached out to the CEO of a huge UX agency because he was exactly where I wanted to be.

His guidance?

Invaluable.

Be selective about whose opinions you take to heart.

Find people who’ve walked the path you want to follow.

Law #10: Build community through documenting

Idea → Execution → Marketing → Community

Ideas are everywhere—they’re kind of cheap.

It’s all about the execution of those ideas.

But even execution can be copied.

The one thing that’s unique?

Community.

So how do you start building a community?

Start documenting your journey.

Share your projects, side hustles, and challenges.

Post screenshots, GitHub repos, or even rough drafts.

Building in public not only creates accountability, it also attracts like-minded people who’ll cheer you on (or even collaborate).

To recap, the 10 laws that will completely change your career trajectory:

1. Your best is beyond your comfort zone
2. Taking initiative gets noticed
3. It’s not about the mistakes—it’s how you fix them
4. Get comfortable with failure
5. Everybody feels imposter syndrome
6. Grit is greater than talent
7. Creativity is a muscle
8. Manage up
9. People can’t lead you to where they’ve never been
10. Build community through documenting

So, tell me: Which one inspired or surprised you the most?