It is very easy to see successful people as they are now and think it has always been like that.
And that can be REALLY disheartening when you seem to be finding ever more novel ways of failing yourself!
But the truth is we all have a journey to take to get to where we want to be.
And it is true to say, the path for some will be longer than it will be for others.
A great example of this is the story of the Thin White Duke himself, David Bowie.
When he sadly passed away a few years ago he was a worldwide icon of the music scene.
He had, had countless hits.
He sold out stadiums.
He had started fashions.
However this wasn’t always the case.
He was held by many as the reason they got into music.
This was a man who released 7 different singles over many years before he finally managed a hit with his 8th (Space Oddity)…
…and even then when he thought he might have finally made it, it looked increasingly likely that he might be a ‘one hit wonder’.
It was to take another 3 or 4 years before he finally hit the big timewith his Ziggy Stardust album.
David joined a number of bands.
He tried a number of different styles.
But none of them quite hit the mark.
At one point when auditioning at the BBC, he was even described as ‘lacking charisma’!
What he was doing (consciously or unconsciously) during these ‘wilderness’ years was trying things out…
…keeping what worked and discarding what didn’t.
Music, mime, acting, writing, singing…he did it all.
He just kept on keeping on doing things he believed would achieve his ambition.
But above all he had and unshakable belief that he COULD make it.
And his path to success lasted around 7 years.
7 years of failure, rejection and frustration.
Yet despite this and much advice to stop dreaming and get a proper job, he just kept walking the walk until finally he became the colossus of the music and fashion scene that most people now remember.
Your path might not be as long as 7 years…
…or possibly it might be even longer, who knows.
But with belief, commitment and the ability to keep on keeping on, it is possible.
Not necessarily easy, but definitely possible.
And if I can help you on your journey, then please let me know. I’d be delighted to help you to get to where you want to be.
