One of the most useful pieces of dialectical thinking I’ve learned and often repeat to myself is this: It’s not right. It’s the way it is. That mindset opens the door to duality: Sometimes I should work to change the situation. Other times, I need to navigate it as it is. It’s often both at the same time: try to fix it for the future while traversing the present. Since I was a junior, I think I’ve always done good work. But no one used to listen to me. So I worked on my craft, and I worked on becoming more influential. Because I learned they’re not the same thing. It’s not right. But it’s the way it is. When you encounter a broken system, you can rage against it. Or you can learn how it works and use it to your advantage. I suggest you do both. You don’t have to like the rules. But you should know them. Because if you want to change them, you have to survive them first. It’s not right. But it’s the way it is.