If you could be any celebrity, business mogul, or leader who would you be? Who do you most admire, adore, and wish you could trade shoes with?
Most of us [me in included] would kill to be as [or more] successful as the people we see on television, read about in magazines, receive tweets from, are a fan of on Facebook, or read blogs from. It’s human nature to desire more for our lives and even envy the accomplishments of others.
The man Himself
I was on a coaching call last week and my client’s goal was to take his life and business to the next level. He mentioned that he wants to model his business after, social media super star, Chris Brogan.
Going deeper into the conversation he begin too compare Chris’s accomplishments to his own and quickly realized that how long of journey was ahead of him. It really upset me when my client began too compare what he didn’t have to what Chris does have.
This is the advice I gave to him . . .
Dear Chris;
First of all,
Chris Brogan doesn’t have super powers, can’t leap tall buildings in a single-bound, and wasn’t born in a manger. His blog isn’t “totally awesome,” aesthetically speaking, and if it weren’t for a few pics and graphics, it would be really bland. However, what God has given him in terms of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is spectacular. What he shares is nothing short of awesome.
That’s what I love about God – he uses the ordinary and makes them extraordinary! And what I love about what Chris Brogan has achieved is his simplicity and his consistency. His blog is very simple but he’s consistent in delivering top-notch content. This has only been one facet of his success but it’s an important piece of the pie.
And second of all,
“You can’t go where God sent Chris Brogan and Chris Brogan can’t go where God is sending you.”
Sometimes we need a friendly reminder that our purpose and destiny is uniquely ours crafted by the hands of the master potter. I don’t doubt one bit that my client can become as or more successful than Chris Brogan. Not because he’s a better blogger, has more Twitter followers, or is a better practitioner of social media; but because he’s destined to impact the lives of people Chris Brogan can’t reach. He’ll be able to deliver content, products, and services that Chris won’t be able to . . . and so will you.
There’s a lot we can learn from Chris and others like him. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned;
Stay on purpose!
Staying on track with your goals is not enough, you have to stay on purpose as well. I think Chris has a good idea of what his purpose is for his business and where he’s going next. Purpose gives your efforts meaning, keeps you in the trenches, and becomes your compass toward success.
Watch them walk, but don’t walk their way!
Ever seen a model walk on a runway exactly the same as the one before her? Each model has their own rhythm, tempo, and puts their own flare into the walk. It’s ok to “model” yours like someone else’s but it’ll be your own personality that sells the crowd.
When I was in high school I used to copy the artwork from comic books that I admired the most. However, whenever I copied a drawing, I also copied the artist’s mistakes as well. After a bit of practice I begin to draw my own comics and made my own mistakes. But, I loved creating my own stuff. Trace someone’s success but be original and find your own way.
Capitalize on missed opportunities!
If you’re modeling your blog or business off of Chris Brogan’s be smart and claim some of the opportunities he may have overlooked. Such as starting a forum on your blog, doing more 1-on-1 coaching, starting a podcast, or doing video interviews, etc. You never know, something might take off for you that may not fit with Chris’s readership.
What about missed opportunities in business? Who has Chris Brogan passed over in a mad dash to satisfy small business and corporate clientele? If he doesn’t focus on the solo-preneur then you should!
Love,
Rod
It’s ok to model your business after the success of someone like Chris Brogan. However, you have to keep the comparison as a model and it can not become the standard. Doing so hinders your confidence, your success, and ultimately the lives you were destined to touch.
Remember, the promised land that God wants for you has your name on the gate . . . no one else’s. What have you learned from shining stars like Chris Brogan? Who do you model your business after? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
P.S.
Chris, if you’re reading this, everything in bold is my best advice to you and your continuing journey down the road to success. You’re experiencing a lot of awesome things in your life, but stay on purpose, be original, and capitalize on your missed opportunities. You’re at a critical phase in your flight to super-stardom. Follow this advice and you’ll remain in the air and drift toward the stars.
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About the Author
Rod
