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asmithblog | May 20, 2013 | 4 Comments

Rarely Does Overnight Success Actually Happen

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The overnight success idea is an easy misconception to have. We want success and we want it now, but it usually doesn’t happen that way.

I have been in this spot. I have been tempted to look at others and compare myself to them when things weren’t going the way I had planned in my head months beforehand. I always planned things to be absolutely perfect and then when they are less than ideal I am tempted to throw in the towel. Well, this has happened so many times over the years now that I am now forced to learn that this is just part of the road to success. Don’t be tempted to think any other way.

Success takes years, not days.

Here is why you can’t fall into this mindset and stop short of seeing the benefits of your hard work:

1. You are seeing someone else’s middle or end.

Have you ever looked at where someone else and where they are at and started comparing yourself. If you have done this recently, I have some advice for you… Please STOP. You have no idea what they have gone through to get to where they are. Once you are ready to start moving towards success, get ready to work. Nothing worth having ever came easy, right?

Getting to work is much more effective than comparing, any day of the week.

2. Laziness will kill perception.

The more you sit there being idle, the more skewed your perception becomes. Things won’t just come to you, but the fruits of your labor will show up. Success has no time for laziness. If you really want success in what you are doing, take time to think about those few things that promote laziness in your life and find ways to eliminate them.

If you have big dreams, be prepared to work hard. But, if you work hard, be prepared for a big reward.

3. Finding someone who has been through it already is to your advantage.

Do you want to take the fastest route to success? Sure you do. Asking questions to those that you admire helps you jump hurdles that they already know about and faced along the way and getting advice from them on how they scheduled priorities and got things done will also benefit you for not only preparing your schedule, but getting you mentally prepared for your big adventure. They will be more than happy to be a mentor in some way and will gladly answer any questions that you may have.

Having a mentor is the easiest way to help make sure you stay on track and it will get you there faster.

If one theme is portrayed through this post, you will see that work pays off. I am sorry to tell you that the road to success doesn’t give many breaks. It isn’t some gimmick or some lucky thing that happens. But, I can guarantee that you will get back what you put in.

What is something you have wanted immediately in your life and have had to wait for?  You can leave your comment below.

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Filed Under: Leadership

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine Stock says

    May 21, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Excellent advice! I’ve Tweeted his twice today.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      May 21, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      Thanks Elaine!

      Reply
  2. Elaine Stock says

    May 21, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Excellent advice! I’ve Tweeted his twice today.

    Reply
    • asmithblog says

      May 21, 2013 at 8:35 pm

      Thanks Elaine!

      Reply

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