Stay In Your Lane: Why it’s important to concentrate on your own journey
In today’s world where social media dominates we all tend to find ourselves obsessing over other people’s success, and then questioning our own. In all transparency, I’ve been a victim and I know damn sure you have too! A habit that can be more detrimental to your own success than you think.
While scrolling through IG and gawking over everyone’s cool online life can be fun, here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you see your peers on Instagram straight flexin’.
Everyone’s path to success isn’t the same
There’s no one way to reach your goals. Chances are the path you’ll take will change dozens of times along the way before you reach your pinnacle. The journey will be filled with peaks, valleys, and even periods where you feel like you’re stuck standing still. Becoming successful is a challenge, and if you don’t feel challenged then the question you should be asking is what am I not doing. Some people find success early, while it may take others years before they get to where they want to be. Successful high profile celebrity names like Lupita Nyong’o, Samuel L. Jackson, and Phylicia Rashad didn’t get their big breaks until after 30. Some even after 40! Just proof that every person’s journey and timing for success is different.
Everything that glitters isn’t gold
Don’t be fooled by the illusion social media allows people to create. Just because the pictures people post makes it look like they are “making moves” that doesn’t necessarily mean they are. You shouldn’t base the success of your friends or peers on the pictures they take. Remember, social media is the highlight reel. No one likes to post pictures of that email saying they didn’t make the cut or wasn’t fit for the job! The truth is, even though it may look like opportunities are just falling into everyone’s laps, chances are it took dozens of emails, hours of research, and a ton of work to get that one ‘yes.’
Don’t hate, collaborate!
Admit it, you’ve scrolled through your explore page only to discover that there’s someone out there succeeding at the one thing you’re passionate about. You feel like you’re just as good or even better, however you’re not getting the same opportunities. Don’t be salty, reach out! Ask them for advice, what helped them gain the opportunities you desire, and share your goals. The worst thing that can happen is you don’t get a response, but if you do, it just might be the relationship you need to help elevate you to the next level.
At the end of the day, always remember it’s a marathon not a sprint. It takes hard work, late nights, early mornings, and more than a decade to become an overnight success.
