No One Really Wants to Tell You How to Be Successful
I’ve caught on to the number of generalized articles floating around that explain “the keys” to success.
You’ve seen them.
Those articles guiding readers through a step-by-step process on how to make it big. They pander:
Do as I say and you, too, can relish in the appurtenances of success!
Now, I like the idea of bringing others up. I welcome the thought of sharing those precious keys.
However, this exchange is highly deceptive.
I’d say 90% of the “how-to-success-it-up” articles are complete bullshit. Especially the ones offering overhead success — as in no relation to a specific skill or industry.
They serve as nothing but wishful thinking for readers and a false sense of authority for those writing. It’s a meaningless swap of information.
Hold on there, cowboy
At this point, you’re probably in demand of an explaination. Maybe you’ve written a success article. Maybe you recently read one.
I get it, I’ve made you feel mislead.
These writings are not complete wastes of time and energy. I admit, some of them aren’t total shit. There are benefits to sharing experiences and relaying learning lessons to others.
Still, almost all “success” articles are planted on a flawed foundation.
Who knows
The reason no one really wants to tell you how to be successful?
Nobody fucking knows.
No one has the answer because one doesn’t exist! There are infinite ways to reach success. Every journey is unrepeatable and unbelievably complex.
If a clear-cut, universal process exist, we’d all be superstars.
Even so
If someone were to sit down and attempt to write out how they did it, it would be 47 minute read on Medium… and it would be convoluted as hell. It wouldn’t make the slightest bit of sense.
Truth is, no one can really pin down what brought them success.
It’s a every-changing matter of trial and error, dedication, sleepless nights, confusion, persistence, and a bit of luck. It’s not something you can translate through a screen. To try and convey that process unto others is foolish.
Butt ugly
The idea of graciously uncovering “how to make it” is incredibly appealing. This is the day and age we live in; one of instant gratification. (I think many writers understand this.)
We’d love for someone to spell it out for us — we’d love for some magic post to fall in our lap and explain precisely how to make our wildest dreams come true. This is fantasy.
Another reason no one really wants to tell you how to be successful: It’s not pretty.
It’s not a story of certainty.
It’s not a story of ease.
It’s not a story of glory.
The story is exactly the opposite. One of uncertainty, struggle, and obscurity.
It becomes hard to market a story when you talk about these things. That’s why success articles won’t really help you. They are ‘feel-good’ articles designed to create a false outlook on what it really takes.
Furthermore, anyone whose achieved prosperity didn’t get there by chasing the word ‘success.’ I guarantee they wasted little time sifting through articles proposing how, either.
A key for every lock
If you wish to unlock your potential and step through the door of success, using someone else’s keys won’t get you in. It’s your door. It’s entirely unique to you, both inside and out.
The word ‘success’ is highly subjective. Your definition of success is different from mine, his, hers, theirs — everyone’s.
That being said, it’s bizarre to read an article by someone else and follow it in your own life. There’s a minuscule chance what worked for them will translate and work perfectly for you.
The harsh reality?
You’ve got to find your own way in; you need to go out and discover that key for yourself. People can point you in the right direction, but they can never open the door for you.
Got a better idea?
As a matter of fact, I do. Instead of feeding you routine outlines, personality traits to develop, and other cliche remedies for success, I’ve got this bit of advice:
First, stop reaching.
Stop searching or believing there’s a straight path to success. Quit looking for that one-way ticket to the promise land. I guarantee you won’t find one — if you do, it’s counterfeit.
Then, get specific.
Don’t sift the internet reading generalized success articles. Don’t let someone else define success for you. Get introspective. Understand what you want and why you want it.
Finally, you’re on your own.
Once you know what you want, good luck. That’s all I can say.
I’ve got no road map or blueprint for you to follow. I can’t tell you how to get there — no one else can either!
It’s up to you to find your way.
- AZ
