“If a door isn’t opening, it’s not your door”. I came across this quote in a notebook full of thoughts I’ve had and immediately written down, and I think it’s an important and underrated topic.
In working with people all of the time, you come across many different kinds and personalities and I’ve started to realize something about how some people run their lives. Too often are they trying to be something that they are not. Trying to appeal to absolutely anything and everything around them, and what happens is the opposite. You start to lose appeal altogether. If you want so badly to be as super-successful as the business down the street that you begin to mimic exact their behaviors, don’t let it surprise you when the outcomes aren’t the same.
Seeing the success of others is constantly in our faces. From tv, to social media, and even simply walking down the street, it can be quite overwhelming and most can’t help but think “Wow, I want so badly to be like them and have that success”. Their success, however, will not directly translate. You can do everything the same way as them and market the same, but true achievement does not come from imitation. It comes only when you are true to yourself and the community you serve. When people see you following your dreams and walking your own walk is when you will be set aside from the sea of monotony.
Always come back to what your vision is. Maybe that isn’t too clear and you need to go back and figure that out entirely. But always be looking back on that vision when you have it. What is it you want to be known for? If the action you are taking does not align with that vision, that is probably why it isn’t working out. Following someone else’s path will lead you on their journey, not yours.
Think about all of the things you stand for, both as a person and in your business. These should be things that define you and the difference you want to make. Use these as a guide to growing your business instead of letting the success of others distract you. When an opportunity comes along you can take a step back, look at it, and decide: is this for me? Does this serve the vision I have for my business or am I just trying to be like someone else? The clearer you are on what it is you want is when doors will start opening up.
The doorbell was not broken, you weren’t knocking too quietly, they just weren’t your doors.
