In a world filled with on-demand, instant-view, right now results … it’s easy to become impatient and want success today. Of course, most of the suggestions for instant stardom are hype and fluff. But there is actually a simple formula for achieving rapid success. Let’s talk about that 3-part formula now.
First, know where you’re going.
Before you can have any amount of success, you need to know why you are doing what you’re doing. Only once you have a clear vision of where you’re going and why you’re going there will you understand the best (and fastest) way to get there. I can’t tell you the best way to get to your specific goal, but I can tell you that the fastest way to go nowhere is by not having somewhere in mind. Furthermore, when you have a destination that you are moving towards, it becomes easier to embrace the process of getting there. With each step you can see how you’re getting closer and closer to the end goal.
Second, connect with people who can help you get there.
When we hear the term “overnight success” we often associate that with someone who has very quickly become an authority or a celebrity in a particular industry or sector. But here’s a nifty little secret about success: it’s much easier to connect with authorities and celebrities than it is to become one. And when you connect with them, you automatically set yourself up for rapid success because you now have direct access to someone who can help you get to the top. They know the roadmap because they already walked it. Now all you have to do is ask questions about their success and listen carefully.
Third, it’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you.
It’s easy to think that if you just knew the “right” person or if you just get a recommendation from a key influencer, then the doors would burst open and success would come pouring through. And while it is critical to connect with influencers and decision makers (see point 2), the reason why it’s important is because they can show you where to go and what to do. In other words, they don’t do it for you, they simply show you how to do it. Given that, you may be wondering, if success is not about who I know, then what’s the key? The key is who knows you. Connection is what gives meaning to our work. If you want to be successful and if you want your work to matter, then connection is the key. Connections are the foundation of any meaningful work. It doesn’t matter how brilliant you are, how groundbreaking your work is, or how useful your discoveries are … if you don’t connect with someone else, then nobody knows about it. And if nobody knows about what you do, then you can’t make a difference or be successful or change the world. This means that, if you’re truly serious about becoming an overnight success (or about achieving any type of success), then you need to commit to learning how to spread your message and your work. In an age where anyone can create content with publishing, writing, videos, podcasts, blogs, social media, and more, it has become critical to develop the skill of capturing attention.
What you should do now…
If you’re ready to be successful, then the time is now. There is no need to wait. Start by getting very clear about why you do what you do. Know the direction and why you’re going that way. Once you know where you want to go, start seeking out people who are already there. The influencers, decision makers, and connectors. Get to know them and they will kindly show you the way to go. Once you know the path, start walking it. And as you do so, realize that your work will only have meaning if others know about it. Become an evangelist for your own goals. No matter what work you do, learn how to share it with others and capture their attention. This simple path is the fastest way to overnight success. (Photo credit: Man in Wheat Field via Shutterstock)
