Secret Behind the Self-Made Superstar

Whether on Prime-time, a major hitter in your company or the top requested server at your local restaurant, there are superstars everywhere.  And they all grab our attention, because they are examples of those who have succeeded in their given vocation.  Along with the admiration (and envy),  there is often the notion that they arrived at this place on their own somehow, that they are self-made success’s.  But does a self-made superstar truly exist?

In western society especially, there is the belief that one CAN rise up from nothing, that one CAN overcome insurmountable odds to make loads of money, gain celebrity, have all the comforts one would desire, leave behind a legacy for the next generation and so on. And because sometimes breaking away from the so-called “obstacles” in our lives to get there means breaking away from the negative chatter or influences of those around us, there is sown this idea of gaining that success in spite of people, not because of them.

But no one truly becomes successful without the help of others. Along the way we meet people who present a different perspective from our own, who share life lessons that unlock closed doors within us which suddenly propel us forward by leaps and bounds, who inspire us, who challenge us, who give us tools without which we would not have made the necessary steps to the next “stage”. They are a part of our success.

The slippery slope comes in when we have attained that certain level of success, when all the admiration and praise starts pouring in. It feels so good, it becomes difficult to share it with others. We get scared that if people find out that a big part of our success comes from someone else, that they’ll stop sending it our way. Conversely, those of us doling out the kudos want to believe that those who succeeded did it on their own, perhaps because we feel we don’t have anyone assisting us to do the same or we don’t feel we have the qualities or capacity to get there, excusing us from making the effort. And thus perpetuates the idea of the self-made superstar.

Funny thing is, the successful people who have staying power, the authentic individuals with a truly positive influence on the lives of others, acknowledge their mentors, their coaches, those upon who’s shoulders they stand.

So if it’s part of the formula, why not start the habit of acknowledging, of thanking, our mentors and coaches who have been a part of helping us get to where we are today, in achieving our success’s, no matter how big or small we may perceive them to be. It may not be easy. I actually have a difficult time with this one, because I’ve had one too many experiences where there are those who too eagerly TAKE credit for being the source of any success’s I may have achieved along the way. But by allowing that to be an obstacle to my acknowledging those who HAVE been a truly influencing force, I limit myself. I hold myself back and stop myself short.

With the level of interconnectedness that today’s technology provides us and extent to which we can communicate and share, the opportunity to connect with people that prove to become mentors or coaches, has expanded in scope exponentially. Thus they are not limited to those we know or come into contact with personally.

It’s not the list in it’s entirety, but I wish to acknowledge those who are a powerful, positive and influencing force in my growth and success at this time (some of whom I know personally and some I don’t):

Scott Sonnon
Laird Hamilton
Jarlo Ilano
Seth Godin
Ryan Murdock

Dare To Evolve,
Shane.