The Real Difference That Will Make You Successful
Frustrated <– what you’ll be with yourself when you see all the other people killing it, while you sit quietly in the corner.
Annoyed <– how you will feel when you realize you’re way smarter/more talented/cooler than that person out there killing it.
Jealous <– when you realize they are doing exactly what you want to be doing.
Seething <– what you will be doing when you realize how much time you’re wasting NOT doing anything.
Let’s face it – it’s happened to all of us. You download someone else’s ebook or buy their service or read their book, and realize “I could have fucking created this! And I could have done it better!”
Their work feels average to you. Nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe it’s exactly what you learned in school (ho-hum), or it’s so simple that it’s almost laughable.
So why are they wildly successful, raking in the money and the fame (and oh, the freedom), while you’re busy ogling their business, wishing it was yours. KNOWING it could be yours, if you just got your act together, and, well… acted.
Why are they getting book deals and interviews and quickly becoming the go-to person in their industry, while you watch from the sidelines with your popcorn, wondering when it will be your turn?
The difference? They did it, and you didn’t.
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Because the hard part about running a business isn’t getting ideas. The hard part is getting off your ass and DOING IT.
Those “other guys”? They didn’t get there by watching from the sidelines. They got there by starting. Before they felt ready. Before they were even totally clear. Before they wasted months (years?) watching everyone else.
Less than two years ago, I was talking with a coach and she said “Becca, you need to be taking people on adventures”. And I brushed it off, like, “Yeah ok, sounds great, but that feels really big and scary and how would I do it and who would come with me and I’ll just sit here and eat my popcorn and watch other people create amazing retreats and secretly hate them because they are doing what I want to be doing but I’m not willing to do it, so pass the Sprite, please.”
And maybe it wasn’t possible for me then, but what was possible was building all the foundations that would lead me to the point where it would be possible (which is now – I’ve successfully hosted 3 amazing retreats and have more in the works for next year).
It happens way faster than you think, but you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, putting pedal to the metal – or rather, putting one blog post in front of the other, putting the fingers to the keyboard… you get the point.
Planning is easy. Execution is the real kicker.
The only thing that separates the unsuccessful you from the successful* you, is action. (*and please, no comments about how “success” isn’t important blah blah blah. If you have a business, you need to be making money or else you don’t actually have a business).
Make execution your bitch, and you’ll be the envy of everyone else’s eye sooner than you even think is possible.
It is really hurting me what you say, but it is 100% true.
HI Becca! I’m new to your site, but I love how vibrant it is! Your post totally resonates with me but not because I haven’t actually gotten up and acted. I’ve been acting for the past 5 years on a business that just doesn’t seem to be growing. I have short spurts of activity that seem hopeful, but nothing that generates enough income to sustain me. I’ve watched people younger and less experienced than me create thriving businesses and can’t quite figure out why mine fails to thrive. I’m beginning to think perhaps it’s not really my calling or purpose. I gave myself until the end of this year to make it a business that can support my son and I. I’m hoping all the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into it will pay off. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jenmister You are totally right – businesses can not work out for ALL kinds of reasons, and sometimes it’s just that it’s not a great fit. most often though, there is a disconnect between what you are putting out there and what your clients need, and often a few tweaks can make all the difference. Keep with it, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it! xo
GabrielPurcarus Ahhh Stevie Jobs – the godfather of action! Hope you’ve kicked yourself into action Gabriel!
“Make execution your bitch, and you’ll be the envy of everyone else’s eye sooner than you even think is possible.” This is Gold. That’s what it’s all about. Execution. I’d Retweet it if I were on Twitter 🙂
I totally agree with you! I see a lot of people doing webinars/videos/group coaching and getting “famous” while I am still busting my butt trying to get the word out about my business. I finally hired an assistant, and that’s really been helpful to me cuz I now I have more accountability. I haven’t figured it all out, but I am going to try a new approach and wake up early (at the same time as my hubby gets up for work at 5am). Gotta try something new to get different results!
I guess what makes me a little envious is seeing people who know exactly how they can help people in a fulfilling way. I can’t get my niche down!
Tiara – I absolutely know that you can find your niche. It takes a LOT of experimentation. Start where you’re at and test, test, test. The more people you work with the clearer it will become!
LOL I absolutely LOVE it! This statement is priceless! The only thing that separates the unsuccessful you from the successful* you, is action. (*and please, no comments about how “success” isn’t important blah blah blah. If you have a business, you need to be making money or else you don’t actually have a business).
LOVE, loved this post. I ALWAYS have those moments, “You download someone else’s ebook or buy their service or read their book, and realize “I could have created this! And I could have done it better!”
Great motivation to ACT.
Funny you should ask. I just re-tweeted an on-line friend who is looking for a virtual assistant. I could’t help but be jealous that she was that busy and in a financial position to hire someone to do the crap she hates. That’s me! I hate doing so much of the background stuff in my business that I just WISH someone could do it for me. I’m just not there financially yet!
Loved this! Okay I scanned, but I totally resonate with the “I could have made this” moment. I do consider myself an action taker….but there’s no denying it like you said. If could’ve, you should’ve, but you didn’t soooooo… sit with that. My issue is not playing big enough. I’m realizing (like, today) that I *majorly* censor myself and once my video, writing etc comes out you can’t detect the ME that created it. Thanks for holding a mirror up to something I need to further explore! xo
What timing–just last week I was feeling like I’m living in someone else’s shadow! Thanks for reminding me that I need to get more involved in the execution side. 🙂
Great reminder to get off our ass and do something!
I have always been the action kind of person, but I also realize that I can use “action” as a handy excuse. I can hide behind busy work and feel like I am doing something… checking shit off the list… without taking me closer to where I want to be. I guess there is always the balance between being still so we can listen to our “truth”, then taking the aligned action to make it happen.
Becca, love every word and how you said what you said. Love your writing style, which is what attracted me to your site and kept me here and in yr group. The most important part, for many, is having that fire not only in yr belly, but in every cell. That you want success so much, you are willing to focus on it and do it. Success means making at least enough money to continue to offer one’s products or services or whatever is the basis for our business. Creatives, artists, musicians, film-makers, etc, must accept the fact they are business owners, if they want to continue creating.
I know far too many people who talk the talk, and never walk it. Always studying. Always working on something and then get distracted, do something else, something.
You have to take risks! Be fearless on some levels. Don’t over think some things. I see this as an issue for some. It’s difficult to find one’s niche, but do the market research too. Look around. Take note of what and how people do what they do, in something you feel strongly about. What can you bring to it? I love the comment about not hearing the woman creating the products. Be authentic and down to earth.
We can’t all know our niche per se. There’s something each of us can do if we want it enough. You never know what steps you take today will lead to another path. These basic ideas helped me. I’ve seen how this all impacts many others. Maybe something I wrote is helpful or merely a reflection on Becca’s post and comments.
May the force be with you. I prefer may you be successful. I usually say: may you manifest your dreams.. They mean the same. Success, like abundance, refers to far more than money. Although money can be used for good.
Oh em to the gee I am putting my popcorn DOWN today!!
I have to be honest I have seethed at seeing other people doing what i want to be and achieving a certain profile – in my bitchy moments I’ve made silent accusations about them not being authentic and just in it for the social media likes. And yet, how unauthentic was *I* being by just standing there not doing what *I* need to do to rock my light? That’s being a fraud! (The sound of a thousand pennines dropping!)
Thank you Becca for your always refreshing views that always cut through the crap holding me back!
xoxo
Great article! Execution is everything!
Becca, that last paragraph was EVERYTHING! I get so tired of hearing people in my field say I want clients or I want to do this and that but never doing anything or more often, not doing enough, to get what they want. How about you get off Facebook where you’ve sat posting all day and get out to a networking meeting where your clients are or put your marketing strategy together??? I get so tired of hearing people say I wish, I want and not doing anything about it. I can say all this because I am following my own advice now and not whining about what I want and getting off my ass and actually DOING something!