My inspiration from this post comes again from my recent eBook I am working on. In the process of writing it, I am realizing that if you want something, sometimes all you have to do is ask for it. Seek it out. I am an action taker, and when I want something I go for it, if I fail then I try to go a different route.
This week, I decided to ask a few of these so called “A-Listers” (a term I have openly said I despise) to contribute to my eBook. A few of them I already network with, but some of them I have never tried to contact before.
My email box has been filled with emails from these guys asking me questions as to what I was looking for from them, and then prompt responses with their contributions. I even had some back and forth emails with several of them about non related stuff. Real people that really want to help others! I know I am not big in this niche (yet!), and most people would look at these guys as competition instead of colleagues, but I don’t look at it that way. Yes I have a competitive side of me, and I like to win, but at the same time I like seeing others win too.
This brought me to my post idea, that these guys are just regular people that have a drive to succeed and took action to do it! Somehow, we seem to hold them up on a pedestal and treat them like they are not human beings, but they are. And they have families, hobbies, flaws, and real personalities.
I get inspired watching the success other bloggers have, because I know it tells people that it is possible to achieve. While I am not as successful as most of the bloggers I asked to contribute to the eBook, I am successful enough to call “blogging” my career. I am proud of that success, and I owe part of it to the guys that inspired me. I know Darren Rowse has books published, Chris Brogan gets paid big for speaking, but they are still bloggers to me. I honestly don’t think they think any differently of themselves either.
Ok, so back to letting you know about some of the contributors in my new book:
Just to name a few. I am still waiting to hear from a couple others, but that list will probably grow before I launch the book. I am pretty sure David Risley will contribute if things settle down for his Inner Circle launch, which I am seriously considering joining. He has been really approachable and has answered questions I have had recently. So, if he can’t get back to me before I launch, I understand completely.
You have probably read most of these blogs that I mentioned (if you aren’t you should be!). Do you notice something in common with all of them? They all took action to create their success. It didn’t just fall into their laps, and they weren’t born with silver spoons in their laps. Each one of them has, and still are, creating their own success. Nobody can take that from them, and that is what I am after.
One thing is for certain, I am on a mission, and I plan to succeed. I don’t know about you, but I don’t take failure lying down. If I do fail at something (and I do fail sometimes) I can look back on that battle and say I got some good licks in, and I went down fighting. Then I move on the next battle.
Are you ready to join the battle? Or would you rather be on the sidelines with the cheerleaders? (no offense to the cheerleaders, my wife was one in High School and my daughter has already said that is what she wants to do too) I would rather be on the field setting my own outcome, or at least having a say in it! It is a battle you know, every step of the way will be a battle, the question is have you been training?
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Thanks for the mention Keith, and for allowing me to take part in your project. I too despise the term A-Lister, and even though I refuse to call myself a blogger, I suppose being called a blogger is better than being called something like asshole
See, this is exactly what I am talking about man. You just “thanked” me? You took time out of your busy schedule (I know it is busy because I see all the projects you are launching on top of BBP) to help me, and then thank ME for it! This is exactly what I mean when I talk about being “real” people that genuinely want to help those that want to help themselves…
Thank you Nathan!
Seeing those who've become successful as real people can indeed benefit us as this mindset makes us see past the money stuff and find value in their stories. Although we may not know them personally, it really pays off to become inspired by how hardworking they are and to apply this value to ourselves.
I completely agree, Keith. The same goes for celebrities. They are people, no matter how much money they make. They all sleep at night (except for some bloggers
), eat, and live their lives. They have problems, too. Just because your making a lot of money and are popular, does not mean you aren't human. The sooner people get that people through their heads, the sooner they will get more help.
The way I figure it, I'm just a dude that has a lot of good fortune on his side. Were it not for the people that helped me, I'd be nowhere today. I'm grateful any time my name or brand is mentioned…it's an honor.
Keep rocking man.
Someone (darned if I can remember who) had a interview post up today where they interviewed several successful bloggers (Darren was among them) about their work habits. One common factor was that they ALL work lots of hours. These are people who have “made it” but they're still out there putting in the time to keep things growing and provide quality. I saved the post in my reader because it's an excellent reminder that there is no magic formula for success online. It's the same formula that applies offline; work hard, work smart, and treat people right.
Take no prisoners.
I read the article too, it was on DailyBlogTips I think.
I don't think all the celebrities sleep at nite Joe! LOL
I'm always gladdened to see when people who have “made it” help others. That's exactly what I aspire too, if not a little differently.
I couldn't say if any A-Listers helped others asthey were on the way up, but that's how i refer to do it. It's a “let's make it together!” kind thing….on the flip side, if I fail, I ain't goin' down alone!
Kidding of course.
Keith,
Nice blog post. I have always been a little apprehensive about approaching people …who I guess frankly…we look up to. That's awesome of your approach, and I think it is absolutely awesome.
I like your concept of taking a bunch of people's concepts and put them together in one product. THAT is why i love the internet marketing side of stuff. Your dreams are only limited by your imagination (and ability to take action on it)
The man was probably just my imagination… thank god cuz i went bak where i had seen him go and no one was there although i do get the feeling i was being watched.