We are coming from the right place: we want to improve our lives and careers. We want to be more successful and attain our potential. However, with that sincere and honorable aspiration, we often are blinded to a weakness in our efforts. Some of us are so committed to being successful, we seek an easy way to get to our destination.
My great friend, Mark Sanborn, forwarded me a terrific post by Brad Stulberg titled, “The Problem with the Hack Culture,” that really crystallized my thinking on this. (You can listen to my podcast on the subject and find a link to the post on ProjectDistinct.com.)
In all candor, I’ve been guilty of this, as well. Whether you call it a “silver bullet,” problem panacea, waving the magic wand, or whatever, there is a somewhat natural urge to take the path of least resistance to getting what we want. However, it’s the combination of our degrees of gullibility and ethics that will determine the integrity of our path.
When we read about “OPE” — other people’s experience — as a way to discover precisely how to shorten our learning curve, we should know that there’s nothing wrong with expanding our thinking through the trials and tribulations of those who have gone before us.
- However, when we think a “seven-figure summit” will move us to millionaire status, we have transcended the boundaries of reason. When we believe that a weekend program will teach us how to make our business TEN TIMES more successful, it displays a naïveté more than motivation.
So, here’s a reminder we ALL need from time to time: there’s no “hack” to enduring success.
There’s no mystical secret that “they” don’t want you to know that will make you rich, successful, gorgeous, and famous in short order. (You can find about ANYTHING on the Internet. Do you really believe they could keep such powerful information as a “secret”?)
When I’m asked how I built a successful career as a professional speaker, few like my answer: I gave ONE THOUSAND free speeches before I was paid for one. From high school assemblies to small “pitch-in” dinners with farmers, from noontime Rotary Clubs to nighttime events for blue collar factory workers — you name it, I was the speaker for it…at least one thousand times.
I’m not saying that YOU have to do that. But, I’m sure glad that I did. It’s really hard to find someone extremely successful who did not pay her dues.
Picture this: You’re sadly discovered to have a heart ailment at age 30. As they wheel you in to surgery, you accidentally learn that your surgeon “hacked” his way through med school. He didn’t really fulfill his residency requirements — he went to a “Seven-Figure Surgery” weekend conference. Right before they administer the IV of anesthesia, he tells you he only needs to replace one artery — but, for only another $5K, he will give you a hell of a deal and do them ALL! Don’t you just love a good upsell? (Especially in a time of need of the prospect?) As your consciousness fades, you see the surgeon high-fiving the head nurse, because they just closed another deal….
How do you feel about shortcutting your way to success now?
Stop it with the “hustle,” the “close,” the “hack,” the “bro” approach. Think long term. (And, thinking “kindness” will help a lot, too.)
