Dear aspiring superstar – You are not Beyonce, and you probably never will be.
Harsh, isn’t it? I know you’re trying, but the truth is there are thousands of starving artists and entrepreneurs out there just like you, all hoping to make a break for fame and success. So what separates the “Beyonces” of the world from the rest of us? Check out my hit list:
1. You’re inconsistent
When it comes to promoting your brand, inconsistency killed the cat. If you are not regularly out there, showing face and building your work relationships, you will disappear. Being inconsistent or unable to deliver on what is expected of you kills confidence and alienates your network. This rule also goes for your general marketing efforts. Thanks to the social media, marketing today is more of a personal relationship than a business tactic. Don’t let the urgency of staying in the public eye make you forget to have a plan. It is important to be consistent in order to create a loyal following. Now keep in mind, more is not necessarily better. Over marketing yourself is a quick way to annoy your audience. Only you know what is best for your brand and business goals, but in almost every case, consistency is key.
2. You see obstacles everywhere
I can’t. They won’t. What if? Shut up! Obstacles are always going to come up when you are trying to make it. What makes the Queen B sting is that people like her DO NOT SEE OBSTACLES. They just make it happen. Anything that you think is standing in your way more than likely requires just a few simple tasks. Figure out the steps you need to take to overcome the “obstacles” you think are in your way and put in the time. Do not get caught up in the thought that working towards your goals may take forever or will require so much effort that you completely psych yourself out of your dream. If you can dream it, you can do it.
3. You spend too much time on social media
Social media is definitely a key player in marketing and promotion, in fact I would say it’s almost necessary. However, social media is also one of the BIGGEST time wasters known today. If you are on social media mindlessly scrolling through photos and status posts more than you are marketing yourself, you may need to cut back. No matter what your network of choice is – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Vine, make sure your activity actually benefits your life, more importantly your brand! According to statistics, the average American spends about 3 hours or more on social networking everyday. Yikes.
4. You think you work really hard. But you actually don’t.
Yes, it is true that hard work kicks talent’s butt in almost any circumstance. But usually people who “work really hard” are the laziest. So you work a 10-hour day huh? So does more than half the world. The real catch are the interruptions, distractions and breaks outside of work that are eating up all your time. Ask yourself, what do you do when you are done working? Do you watch television? Talk on the phone? Happy hour victim? Whatever it may be, you could probably be spending that time on your side business that could potentially become your regular job. Remember the most valuable asset we have is our time. Invest it wisely and your dream will take off before you thought it was possible.
5. You’re a quitter
Things not going your way? Feeling disrespected, tired and unappreciated? Welcome to the club! If you are quick to give up, you have probably already missed out on more opportunities than you know. One great thing about true artists and entrepreneurs is that they don’t give up when things get rough. They keep working, keep trying and keep grinding no matter what. Now of course, everyone has a breaking point, but there is a difference between quitting and moving up. Just keep in mind that having an on and off track record doesn’t always look good to someone who is interested working with you. In this day and age, everything is public and people are just as aware of what you are no longer doing as they are of what you are doing. Just remember, no one likes a quitter!
6. You’re inefficient
Even if you are actually working very hard, it could always be more productive. Sometimes it is not about working harder, but smarter. Too many times we get caught up wasting time on tasks that really don’t matter or end up dealing with distractions we didn’t plan for. A great way to increase your efficiency is approach one task at a time. Also, it is a good idea to set a certain amount of time for each task you have to complete. For instance, if you give yourself only one hour to learn a new song, then your more likely to go into hyper-focus mode and avoid distractions to do so. Of course this doesn’t mean you can’t multi-task or have surprises come along, just make sure you stick to your timeframes and prepare for unexpected situations.
7. You pick the wrong people
Talent is great, but means nothing if your talent is in the wrong hands. Sometimes it is hard to tell who is really on your side, especially in the entertainment business. It is always devastating to learn you wasted time working with the wrong people. Or worse, you were working with the right people and didn’t realize it! Take advantage of the Internet and social media by researching the people you are going to be working with, or already working with. Ask people you know for referrals, references or whatever you need to feel at ease. Just follow your instincts, pay attention and choose your work circles wisely. You will be glad you did!
8. You don’t take risks
Taking risks is part of the job if you are an artist or entrepreneur. If you are not a risk taker, please just go get a 9 to 5 and call it a day. No one likes to fail but if you are persistent you will fail once, fail twice, fail 50 more times and then one day – SUCCESS! Many of today’s success stories started off as huge failures, so don’t put too much thought into things not working out. Just get up and start over, one day it will pay off trust me. Even the successful continue to take risks – like dropping a platinum-selling album in the middle of December.
9. You don’t take opportunities
Not taking the right opportunities is just as bad for your career as not taking any risks. It is important to be able to recognize the right opportunity when it is in front of you. Now, I will admit sometimes opportunities are disguised as risks, so it’s important to know the difference, or to know how to turn that risk into an opportunity. If something seems a little scary or uncomfortable, don’t be too quick to say no. Also, do not let your pride get in the way of your big break. Your great opportunity may come from someone or somewhere you don’t expect, so it’s important to remain open. Don’t be a diva.
So wait is there hope? Maybe. But not for all of you! Probably less than a handful of you will read this article and actually change those nasty habits that are holding you back from success.
I really hope these tips help you get off your butt and work! If you’re going to be like Queen B, you better stop reading this article and get to work hunny! 🙂
