Never take success stories at face value

We only ever see and talk about the tip of every success or one facet of every truth.

The untold stories

The untold stories behind every success are many.

• The long hours.
• The sacrifices.
• The mistakes.
• The failures.

These often only come out during conversations or interviews with those who have experienced them.

• Family support.
• Innate talent.
• Fortune.
• Timing.

But it's more than that. Some advantages or privileges are not easily conveyed.

The unseen advantages

When I wrote "Would you freelance for the rest of your life?" (Read: https://lnkd.in/gfBWPxNz), I talked about my last pay cheque in 2008.

Yet I must also add that I did enjoy several advantages when I started writing full-time. Yes, it is true that I never scored well in English at school or wrote professionally before that.

However, I:

• Enjoyed writing.
• Am a vociferous reader.
• Loved technology and worked in IT.
• Was a (cheaper) remote worker for US firms.

That's why I am never cavalier about recommending career paths or asking people to be a writer; there are simply too many variables at play.

Find your niche

So as you read inspiring success stories, remember to probe more to learn the context behind what worked. Then fit it to your circumstances.

Ultimately, if you are a square peg, don't try to fit yourself into a round hole.

Instead, embrace your unique qualities and leverage them to create your path to success.

What are your unseen advantages?