My advice for people who are trying to make their way in a niche, whatever the niche may be.

• Don’t be jealous of the success of others. Give praise where it is due and set about working even harder to catch them up.
• Don’t big yourself up more than within the acceptable bounds of necessary self-promotion. If you begin to think that you are amazing, chances are that other people will start to think you are a prat.
• Be humble. Not mock humble. It is very unlikely that you are the best there ever was, the best there ever will be in your world.
• Really try to help other people. Helping your rivals is not counter-productive. It is kind, it is good for the soul, and what goes around comes around. It certainly won’t set you back.
• Do your little bit for good too. Or at least undo your bad.
• Work very hard. Don’t pretend that you work very hard. Work harder than anybody else.
• Work smart. Quality of work is far more important than the mere quantity of unproductive hours self-flagellating in front of a computer screen.
• Don’t run before you can walk. Serve your apprenticeship. Life is not the X-Factor. Ranulph Fiennes’ speaking career began in village halls and at old people’s tea parties.
• See imitation as a compliment, competition as an incentive, criticism as a spur. Lose no sleep over the others. Just try your best to be better than them.
• Learn from other people. Is your way the best way? Is it really the best way, or has it just become dogma?
• Remember where you began. Be grateful for each small ascent up the slippery pole. Help other people climb the pole with you. Do not sneer at them and boot them back down.
• Enjoy it. What’s the point of it all if you do not?