Becoming the Go-to-Expert, Pathway to Success

I recently spoke at an event called, Brand Me: The Art Reinvention in Turbulent Times. A woman asked me, “Does it ‘take all of that’ to pursue your passion? Do you have to go into debt or take extraordinary risk to make it happen?” I had to laugh on the inside after working a transition plan for three years before I transitioned to entrepreneurship and having launched two businesses…I thought ABSOLUTELY!! Yet, honestly at one point on the other side of pursuing my dreams, I pondered the same idea. If you ever considered yourself to be someone who can “out smart the system” then you probably played with the notion as well.

I had to break the news to her. I told her the only place I saw work come before success was in the dictionary. As a matter of fact, I have learned it takes “all that” and much more. Malcolm Gladwell in his latest book, Outliers, breaks it down like this. If you want to be somewhat efficient at what you do, you will need to invest 1,000 hours in your craft. However, if you are to become what he calls a “genius expert,” you need to invest 10,000 hours or more in your craft. So for anyone who thought it was easy, take the advice of the group Cross Movement, “go back to the lab till you master your craft.” That means burning the midnight oil or awaking before the crack of dawn is not reserved for those who loathe sleep. Time invested is a pre-requisite to living your dream. This is why I believe discovering your passion should be a requirement for building a new generation of globally competitive leaders.

Congratulations…if you are between two jobs, transitioning from one career to the next or even perfecting your business model…your labor is not in vein. Chess grandmasters put in 10,000 hours or approximately 10 years to become the best. Now the great thing about being the best is that you always get paid top dollar for your brand value. Think about Tiger Woods, who has been said to have the potential to become the first billionaire athlete. All of his success and wealth will not come from his game. However, being the best is what opened the door for the greatest gift of branding….leverage. He can get top-billing for his gift and investments beyond the game of golf. Tiger was investing in time even as a child and is just now reaping the benefits.

So in this time of recession…don’t sit there…reinvent! Your efforts are fruitless, remember practice doesn’t make perfect but it does make for perfecting your craft. Your craft can open up access to profit and opportunity that could change your world.

Look for moments and opportunities to put your hours in. What you thought was a learned skill or a hobby was actually your true gift calling your name. You’ve already put some hours in…now is the time to diligently and intentionally perfect the game. If you are looking to become what I call the go-to-expert…invest early and often. Your labor will not be in vein. While others are putting in half time, your second-shift mentality could employ you for the rest of your life.

Don’t miss your opportunity to perfect your craft and become successful in what you love most! I will be unveiling a new way for you to become the go-to-expert on www.brandmelive.com in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!