Don't take my advice
What makes a person successful? You should know the answer. There’s a constant stream of people making reels, sharing thoughts, posting Tweets or Xs or whatever they’re called now. There are news articles and YouTube videos, and there are professors and colleagues all telling you how to be successful.
Do this. Don’t do this. Talent matters most, technique doesn’t. Brand voice. Visibility. Nobody is going to discover you. Stay in your lane. Don’t follow up too often. Don’t let people forget you. Clean up your portfolio. Share personal things…
The list will go on. And every single post you come across will be in conflict. Save for a few.
Here’s what I’ve learned. And I’m not saying I’m the pinnacle of success. I’m far from it. But I’ve learned a few things along the way to where I am now.
Follow your instincts.
Believe in yourself. Know that every single action and thought will lead you toward the place you’re supposed to end up.
Stop letting other people dictate your path.
Be delusionally optimistic.
Don’t give up.
Be grateful for everything you have.
The more I read, the more I realize that all of my favourite photographers, artists, scientists, etc, all had/have one thing in common. They didn’t follow someone else’s rules. They wiggled and wound and tumbled over and through and around the path until they achieved their goals. DaVinci actually broke the law exhuming bodies so he could study anatomy. French ballet masters moved to England to bring more of what we now know as classical ballet to the masses when France would not budge on the strictness of the ballet. Richard Branson called Boeing over and over until they leased him a plane to start his company.
You know how many times I’ve heard the words, “teachers said I shouldn’t…”. I would give you a number, but I’ve heard that more times than I can count. And usually when I hear someone say that, it’s because they did the thing anyway and became successful.
People will say you shouldn’t. People will say there’s an expiration date on your dreams. People will tell you to choose something “practical”. People will want you to settle.
Don’t.
You know what I think makes people unsuccessful? It’s not failure. It’s not making risky choices.
It’s staying still. Settling. Letting other people tell you to stop. Giving up. Being logical rather than bold. Shrinking. Playing by their rules.
It’s getting harder to avoid the rules. Now everyone has an Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Substack, X, BlueSky, whatever. And they’re all telling you to follow their rules.
Don’t.
Go follow your instincts. Pray. Meditate. Walk barefoot in the grass. Eat an ice cream in the sun and just be. Listen to yourself. Learn, yes. Read, yes. Have conversations. Make note of things. Nod. Truly engage. Make Mistakes. Take Risks. Fail Big. Put so much effort into something, even if you swerve at the last minute. Quit something that doesn’t get you closer to your goals. But don’t take everyone else’s advice. Learn enough to figure it out on your own.
But hey. Don’t take my advice on it.
