Success: It’s all in your head

Have you ever wondered what separates the high-income earners from the rest of the world? Why some people can make well into six figures while others struggle to make the rent? Whether it’s editing, selling cars or transplanting hearts, why are some people seemingly able to do so well so easily while others toil endlessly just to stay afloat?

I believe part of the answer—a big part—is, well, kind of like...you know, confidence. The ability to say, if only to yourself, “not only can I do this job, but I can do it at least as well, if not better, than anyone else!”

I would like to introduce you to two business writers I know: Maralissa and Joel (OK, you caught me; the names have been changed to protect the timid).

Maralissa comes from a rather poor family; she struggled to put herself through high school before graduating from a community college journalism program. During her largely self-educating journey to become a wildly successful freelance writer, she learned a lot, not the least of which was how much success could be achieved on guts alone.

Joel, on the other hand, had it all: not only did he have a supportive family and a post-graduate degree, but he was also as smart as a whip. About the only thing he had in common with Maralissa was a desire to be a writer. Unfortunately...

So, why was Maralissa able to outpace Joel so significantly?

Was she better educated? Clearly not. Was she smarter? Not in anything but, perhaps, a street-smart manner. Did she have better contacts? Maybe eventually, but that almost certainly wasn’t a reason early on.

She had confidence. She knew that with hard work and enough research—which, of course, meant admitting that she needed to know more—she could do anything.
But having confidence wasn’t enough. Her confidence showed. Not in some show-off kind of way. But in a purposeful, focused, non-alienating kind of way. And that inspired others’ confidence in her. At that led to success.

Did Maralissa read all the right business magazines and marketing books? You bet she did. Did she join associations that would allow her to rub pencils with people who could help her improve her skills? Absolutely. Was her bedside table stacked with language books instead of the latest bestsellers? She admits it was. And it all helped.

But ask her the real reason she has done well and she will tell you in one word: confidence. She truly does believe she can do anything.

And from that, we can all learn.