Slow Success: What American Idol Can’t Teach You About Your Art

Every time I watch  American Idol, I feel that something isn’t right.

Sure, these contestants work their butts off. But are they able to handle the spotlight that is instantly theirs?

Obscure nobodies to instant stars – this is American Idol. It’s not reality. It’s not practical. It’s too fast.

In reality, overnight success is a myth.

Wouldn’t it be great to wake up and see your worship song in the top 10 of ccli? Or to fire up your email inbox to find the top 3 book publishers all pining to sign you as an author? Or The Edge contacting you about playing the next U2 gig?

All of a sudden you’re in the spotlight, royalty checks are streaming in, you’re starting to be seen as an authority and are in high demand.

[insert glorious harp music as you bounce on billowing clouds of peace and happiness]

Overnight Success is a Myth

Talk to the people who’ve done it, observe their lives, and you’ll see their success is related to a slow process of making right choices everyday.

We enjoy the American Idol fairytale, but has its myth crept into your habits? Are you waiting to be an overnight success? Waiting to be discovered? Or is your life a testimony of slow success?

Whether you write songs, sermons, books, paint, play music, or rock the interpretive dance, apply these questions to what you do:

1. Are you practicing?

Whatever it is you do, are you putting in the time everyday? Don’t expect to be successful if you don’t do the work. For some help, go buy this book. Refuse the “I don’t have time” excuse. You may have poor time management, but don’t blame it on time. You will make time for what is important.

2. Are you learning?

Howard Hendricks said, “If we stop learning today, we stop teaching tomorrow.” I’m a firm believer that a day shouldn’t go by where you don’t learn something. Read, ask good questions, study the best in your field. Sieze the day, my friend!

3. Do you fear failure?

Because if you do, you’re probably not doing much. It means you’re not taking risks. There’s enough people on the sidelines who fear failure and won’t step into the game. If you fail, you’re releasing your work. Just be sure to turn failure to your advantage. Get up and get started on something today!

4. Are you finishing?

Ideas are not enough. We all have them. Successful people finish. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to finish. If you have way more unfinished work than finished, you probably have a finishing problem. Start now, and you may just see success sooner that you thought. Matter of fact, go finish something today.

5. Are you reflecting?

In Getting Things Done, David Allen says the most effective people think about their work before they do it. They reflect on their priorities everyday and make sure their time is being spent on the right things. It’s possible to be extremely busy and extremely unproductive. Don’t confuse the two. If something fails, tweak it and try again.

Question: What does success look like to you? What small steps can you take every day to get there? You can leave a comment by clicking here.