Girlfriend, there are levels to this. The term “overnight success” isn’t as swift as some want to believe. While comedians are beefing over the success and talent of their colleagues or black people are debating over whom the King of R & B is, there are millions of women and girls ohhing and awwing over the success of mega-talented women like Cardi B and Supacent. Whether it’s their “glow-up, their paychecks or the material things they accrue because of their success, many online label their careers as “goals.
Many of them don’t take into account the hard work that went into their success. The launch of any product requires work. Behind the scenes, this may take years. It also takes a team to make everything runs smoothly, whether that’s staff, lawyers, accountants, producers or vendors to help produce your product. It all starts with an idea or passion but the real grind begins when the creator is willing to put in the real work.
Are you willing to go without that new car or vacation in order to invest in your product manufacturing or your new albums studio time? Are you willing to work three jobs to finance your platform or cut into the time with your children in order to research market trends or vet vendors overseas? Can you handle losing friends and family over your grind that simply won’t understand or support you?
Before pursuing your passion you have to ask yourself, “What am I willing to lose to make this dream happen?” Because while many of you are focusing on the end goal and all that you could gain “if” it succeeds, you haven’t taken into account all that you may have to relinquish to get there. Before your income experiences a growth spurt, you may have to live a life of Ramen Noodles and Dollar Menus. Before you can afford that Lambo, you may have to ride the bus or keep driving that car that is one spark plug away from the car cemetery. Your passion could even keep your single…chileeee. You may never appreciate your success if you never had to choose between eating, paying your cell phone bill or getting that trademark. You may have to sleep on some sofas or live in some lackluster living arrangements in order to hit your goal.
You set the goals and then your level or work (and fate, luck or favor depending on who you talk to) determine the outcome.
You simply idolizing someone else’s current success or income bracket does not in itself guarantee you’ll make it just like they did simply by wishing and hoping it happens. Both Cardi B and Supacent share one thing in common for sure. Just like some of your favorite Youtubers they both built platforms, networks and followings before they ever had a product to sell. They provided consistent content to make them a strong influencer and bring the masses so that when they launched that new product or music, it was a no-brainer that it could and would sell. And with these launches, they put themselves in front of even more people and brands that can potentially help them amass even more success. But their story may not be your story just like their work ethic may not match yours.
You have to be able to take criticism as well as advice. You have to be prepared for all the newfound opinions and expectations of others once you reach a level of success as well. Once you create demand for your product, you will have to delivery to continue to evolve and expand. You have to build a strong team and network of people who actually want to see you grow and expand who are not afraid to tell you the truth. Your product may not sell or hit a stride for many years to come. You may even open and close several businesses before one makes it. Many may never even get their idea off the ground because the only thing they make time for is talking, hoping and wishing. Maybe you are working on your career instead. Yes, many of us slay on the job and don’t have a business. Even in employment mode, there is work to do. Have you showed initiative, displayed excellence or leveled up your education in order to stand out at work? Or are you just waiting for someone to hand the opportunity to you? Don’t sit around wasting time comparing yourself to the person who gets all the promotions at work. Level up and move on sis.
So when you remember their success, don’t forget about their struggle. Be prepared for it. If not just keep being envious of your favorite success stories or be willing to get dirty for your passion and one day you may come out shining too.
