The key to succeeding in anything is to buy in 100%.
In other words, if you give a half-assed effort you are going to get half-assed results.
For example…
When I was a musician working on my masters, I had other things that I wanted to do. In particular, I wanted to meet girls and party. I had no idea how to incorporate being a successful student and a partier. I ended up doing a terrible job at both, and dropped out because I was miserable.
Working in sales, all I want to do is get out. Because of that I’m not making as much as the guys who are leading the store. They are doing everything right and making commission checks that are more than double mine.
What would I need to do to succeed?
If I were to buy in, I would have no problem rising to the top.
If I had spent every evening practicing until 11:00 before I went to the bar, I probably would have been a better musician. If I had stayed home occasionally, turned off the tv, and gotten work done, I would have done better academically. And, if I had paid attention to trade journals and blogs (not forums), I would have had a much easier time being an expert in my field.
In sales I am putting in the time. I’m also paying attention to what is going on in my industry. What I am not doing is that extra bit that will put me on top.
Why?
Because I refuse to buy into that life.
As soon as I give in, then I give up any chance at the life I really want.
The life I want to buy into is the laptop lifestyle.
Success in any field comes down to 3 things:
1. Watch the people who are already succeeding and do exactly what they do. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, then maybe you aren’t ready to buy in.
2. Pay attention to everything going on in your industry. Blogs, journals, and social media are all great resources for finding out what is going on right now within your chosen field. Become a knowledge sponge. Eventually you will come across as an expert.
3. Be different/Be yourself. If you are just like everybody else, then you won’t get hired or move up. Let who you are come through, and let it reflect your work.
Whatever you want to do, go all in, and watch yourself succeed in ways that you’ve never thought possible.