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You Don’t Start At #1
July 5, 2023
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You only see the success of others when they have achieved something. The spotlight shines on winners but usually not until there’s something to showcase - until they have competed and conquered. At the very least they need to be competing at a level greater than we have seen before on their ascent to the top. The problem is we don’t see all the hard work that came before the success. We don’t see the blood, sweat and tears. We don’t see the dogged commitment to excellence. The setbacks, the heart break, the insecurities, the sacrifice. We see the tip of the metaphorical iceberg and not everything beneath the surface. We idolize those at the top of their game. We see their success and want that for ourselves. If they have it, why can’t we?
There’s just one problem. You don’t start at #1. And most of us won’t do the work required to get to get there. We don’t have the work ethic. We aren’t obsessive about achieving our goals. The hard work. We aren’t willing to make the commitment to pursue our truest aspirations.
Being at the top of your game requires a Herculean effort. It’s grueling. You must sacrifice other parts of your life and devote a lot of time (an inordinate amount of time) to whatever you’re pursuing. Winning isn’t easy and that’s why it isn’t for everyone as a result (no judgement here).
Would you say Ed Sheeran is at the top of his game? I think selling more than 150 million records, holding many world records, a huge number of awards and some of the highest grossing tours in the world would say he is. I recently saw him (again) on tour and was (again) in awe of his performance. His ability to connect emotionally to an audience through music is undeniable. But despite he’s apparent natural ability it took a lot of work for him to get to the top.
"I used to do five or six gigs a week, just playing to nobody. But I got better and better and better."
Ed Sheeran says he made a conscious decision to perform as much as possible as he was growing as a performer. The more he played, the better he became. He worked at it. Let’s be clear that it’s not time alone that makes the difference, it’s how you use that time. It's the focus and intensity you put into improving your skills. It’s been said that spending 10,000 hours of deliberate practice will help you build the skills necessary to rise above others. To be beyond proficient. While the 10,000 hours is a guide and experience alone is not the only contributor to success it again indicates the effort winners are willing to invest vs those who came up short.
Hard work is what it takes to be #1 in anything. It’s not all it takes but it’s a good start. Are you willing to give it your all to get there too? I bet most of you reading this won’t (again no judgement). No one starts at #1. But you could finish there.
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