But success stories aren’t always inspiring or helpful. Here’s why these stories might not be telling the full story of success.
1. They Focus Only on the Outcome
Instead, success stories focus on the end result—the big win. They are the stories about how a goal was accomplished...but they tend to leave out everything that happened before.
Actionable Tip:
Don’t just concentrate on the result, learn from the process. How you got here amounts to as much (actually, maybe more so), as is the whole thing.
Related : How To Be Successful In Life?
2. They Skip Over the Failures
Failure is part of success, but success stories like to downplay it. Every successful person has had bumps in the road, yes — ones that they have probably swept under the rug or sold as their dirty little secret during the rendition of how they got to where they are.
Actionable Tip:
Don’t fear failure. Use it as a learning tool instead. It is true that every setback can help you see something important and the most successful people show that failing, persistence through it, is often what brings success.
3. They Don’t Show the Full Picture
Success stories never focus on everything that makes success possible. Many factors go into a person’s accomplishments but the stories only focus on one thing—hard work.
Actionable Tip:
There are times when you can't control what’s happening around you. Instead, concentrate on what you can —your work ethic, skillset, mindset —but remain open to the opportunities out there.
4. They Highlight the Outliers
For most success stories, its the exceptions, not the rule. It is in these rare cases where someone was being worked very hard and it leads to great success.
Actionable Tip:
Also remember, not everybody will have the same results. To achieve this, you should not compare yourself with others as it’s the goal not to compare, but to build your personal progress and success.
Related: What are the three categories of skills that managers need to be successful?
5. They Set Unrealistic Expectations
Success stories can be unrealistic. They could have made the process of being successful seem fast and easy, and even effortless. However, this is no more than the truth.
Actionable Tip:
Be realistic with yourself and be patient. Success takes time. Results will come if you’re willing to put in the work, but you have to be willing to put in the work for a long time.
6. They Don’t Show the Support Behind the Scenes
In many success stories, people forget the ones who enabled the individual to receive their goals. Support is usually always part of the process be it mentors, family, or friend.
Actionable Tip:
Don’t be scared to seek help and build circles around you that are for you. Individual effort is equally important as is building a good network.
7. They Can Lead to Impatience
Of course, you just want to see success stories so you get impatient. If you feel as if you’re putting in similar effort, but haven’t ‘made it’ yet … you may begin to wonder why.
Actionable Tip:
Just remember, it doesn’t happen over night. Improve over the small, things people can work on. Regardless of how small, celebrate your win along the way.
Conclusion: Success Is More Than Just the Final Story
We all want to hear about the success stories, they can be so inspiring – but they aren’t always telling the whole truth. Ultimately they do not consider failures or factors such as luck or timing. You’ve got to understand that success is a process and doesn’t look how it does for everyone. Work hard, fail, get back up and persevere, real success takes time.
Evelyn Harper
But success stories aren’t always inspiring or helpful. Here’s why these stories might not be telling the full story of success.
1. They Focus Only on the Outcome
Instead, success stories focus on the end result—the big win. They are the stories about how a goal was accomplished...but they tend to leave out everything that happened before.
Actionable Tip:
Don’t just concentrate on the result, learn from the process. How you got here amounts to as much (actually, maybe more so), as is the whole thing.
Related : How To Be Successful In Life?
2. They Skip Over the Failures
Failure is part of success, but success stories like to downplay it. Every successful person has had bumps in the road, yes — ones that they have probably swept under the rug or sold as their dirty little secret during the rendition of how they got to where they are.
Actionable Tip:
Don’t fear failure. Use it as a learning tool instead. It is true that every setback can help you see something important and the most successful people show that failing, persistence through it, is often what brings success.
3. They Don’t Show the Full Picture
Success stories never focus on everything that makes success possible. Many factors go into a person’s accomplishments but the stories only focus on one thing—hard work.
Actionable Tip:
There are times when you can't control what’s happening around you. Instead, concentrate on what you can —your work ethic, skillset, mindset —but remain open to the opportunities out there.
4. They Highlight the Outliers
For most success stories, its the exceptions, not the rule. It is in these rare cases where someone was being worked very hard and it leads to great success.
Actionable Tip:
Also remember, not everybody will have the same results. To achieve this, you should not compare yourself with others as it’s the goal not to compare, but to build your personal progress and success.
Related: What are the three categories of skills that managers need to be successful?
5. They Set Unrealistic Expectations
Success stories can be unrealistic. They could have made the process of being successful seem fast and easy, and even effortless. However, this is no more than the truth.
Actionable Tip:
Be realistic with yourself and be patient. Success takes time. Results will come if you’re willing to put in the work, but you have to be willing to put in the work for a long time.
6. They Don’t Show the Support Behind the Scenes
In many success stories, people forget the ones who enabled the individual to receive their goals. Support is usually always part of the process be it mentors, family, or friend.
Actionable Tip:
Don’t be scared to seek help and build circles around you that are for you. Individual effort is equally important as is building a good network.
7. They Can Lead to Impatience
Of course, you just want to see success stories so you get impatient. If you feel as if you’re putting in similar effort, but haven’t ‘made it’ yet … you may begin to wonder why.
Actionable Tip:
Just remember, it doesn’t happen over night. Improve over the small, things people can work on. Regardless of how small, celebrate your win along the way.
Conclusion: Success Is More Than Just the Final Story
We all want to hear about the success stories, they can be so inspiring – but they aren’t always telling the whole truth. Ultimately they do not consider failures or factors such as luck or timing. You’ve got to understand that success is a process and doesn’t look how it does for everyone. Work hard, fail, get back up and persevere, real success takes time.