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“Timing, Perseverance and 10 years of trying will eventually make you look like an overnight success” – Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter

Have you ever looked at great, successful people you hadn’t heard of a month before, and thought: “Wow how did they do it so fast?  How did they become an overnight success?

Have you ever looked at their backstories? Where they were before they were famous, and how long it took them to make it? I’m often floored when people assume that their heroes, as I like to call them are overnight successes or have some sort of luck. 

Why I Believe In Heroes

I remember commenting to friends that all my “Blogger Heroes” (as I like to call them) seemed to hit full-time success at about the 2 to 3-year mark.  They seemed to be looking for the “magic switch” that happens at that point – what happened exactly? How could someone hit the timing mark of 3 years and suddenly have a full-time blogging business that thrives?

Actually, I really don’t think it’s like that. It’s a cumulative effort, trial and error, and the “10 years of trying” that Biz Stone talks about.

In fact, in my upcoming course (coming really, really soon!) I have a whole motivational section on this. It’s in the module before we get into the great business stuff on how to start, enhance, or supercharge your teaching business.

Find The Human In The Hero

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, you have to find the human in the hero. Most of these super successful people are really ordinary folks with a passion, persistence and the grit to keep going when it gets tough.

Actually, this is my best tip (which I follow myself) to try to get to the success levels of people like Biz Stone. In fact, his latest book, Things A Little Bird Told Me is on my reading list now 😉

The Importance of Trying (and Timing)

Of course, you say, it’s important to try.  That’s not revolutionary, I know.  Sometimes, though, I think we forget the importance of trial and error, and that not everything works out on the first try. Don’t give up!

Actually, if I remember the little “businesses” I created way back during my first career, it’s laughable what I thought I could sell. It’s also funny how easy I thought it would be. (Business cardholders with a few set designs to retail stores, for example).

I’ve come to realize you have to completely believe in every part of every product or service you sell to make it to success.

You have to absolutely love helping your customer.

That’s why I knew my previous career in marketing wasn’t going to work out – I really don’t care about car tires, so no matter how fun I tried to make the promotions, it was hard to be super excited about it.

That’s also why I’m in love with blogging and creating educational products.  So, make it easy for yourself. Find a job where you love to try and you don’t have to fake it.  The part about timing rings true, too.  That’s why it’s worth trying over and over and over again.

Keep going, because when the timing hits and your hard work is ready, success will come.

How To Persevere: 3 Steps

So, when the going gets tough, what do you do to keep going?  Here are my top 3 tips:

1  Find That Hero

Really, just try it!  Make a list of the heroes in your life. They don’t have to be famous, but they do have to be successful (using your own definition of success, of course)

2. Focus on Baby Steps, but See the End Goal

Of course, don’t forget to visualize!  These days, visualization is only taking me so far, though. I find I have to focus on the baby steps of my PhD, month by month. That’s how I plan to make it through my last year or so without breaking down. Baby steps, and you’ll get there. How do you feel about baby steps?

3. Force Yourself to Relax

Even when you do something you love for a living (or part of it!), sometimes you need to force yourself to take a break. Actually, this happened to me last night. Sometimes, I get so excited about my upcoming course, that I end up draining myself working on it.

Be sure to take care of yourself and give yourself a few hours off once in a while.

Well, I hope that gives you a bit of insight of my ideas for perseverance and success. What are your favourite tips? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. I read and respond to every comment!

Have a lovely and productive Monday!

P.S. Photo fans, the image in today’s post (and poster!) is one I took at the Royal Palace in Madrid in 2015.