Do you ever wonder why some people are more successful than others? What is it that allows them to overcome obstacles, to persevere and to succeed?
Some say the key to success is persistence. Others say it’s influence or confidence. But I believe it’s a combination of all three.
One of the coolest parts of my job is that I get to travel to all of our live workshops—and some of our overseas expeditions—and I get to meet really interesting, and sometimes very successful people who have signed up to be travel writers and photographers through our programs.
Some come from amazing careers like CEOs of big businesses, attorneys, and surgeons. Others spend a lifetime building things with their hands – houses, art, custom furniture, churches.
They have long, successful careers and then they switch as they’re nearing retirement to find life purpose and prestige in travel writing and photography because it’s fun, creative, and offers more freedom.
Some maintain the same confidence and power when they switch. Others don’t.
Some can stand in front of a court room or a university chalk board and project confidence all day when they’re fighting a big case or teaching a lesson to hundreds of students. But when it comes time to sell their first travel story or their first photo, they get insecure. Why is that?
Part of it is simply the idea of being a beginner again. It’s been a while since they’ve had to start something from the beginning and that puts them in an unfamiliar place.
The other part is simply how they see themselves and how they interpret what makes other people like them successful.
My friend and confidence expert, Vanessa Van Edwards, says that there are key traits all of the most confident and interesting people in the room share. Best of all, these traits can all be learned.
She founded the Science of People a few years ago to run case studies on what makes people interesting and influential and found that there are a few certain truths about all the people we look up to the most. When you know what these are and can work them into your own life, things can quickly start to happen for you, too.
I’d like to share some of our members’ success stories with you now and let you decide for yourself whether you think it’s confidence, influence or persistence that made them successful.
Check out what motivated Theresa to become the successful travel writer and photographer she is today… how Madelyn took on the big chiefs of the tobacco industry (and won)… and how Colleen gained back her confidence on her retirement. They might think it’s one thing over the other but you’ll see the lines are quite blurry.
In addition, I’ve asked Vanessa to prepare a class for you on how you can step up your game and negotiate higher fees for your writing and photography… how you can project confidence and influence and get more of what you want in life… and how you can improve your relationships with others and become the most interesting person in the room by simply changing the way you position yourself in relation to others.
She’s been doing this for years and has been hired by some of the biggest U.S. businesses to coach their team leaders and division heads. She’s helped me, too, and she can do it for you.
It’s a lot of fun and you’ll love the results.
Go here to read more. And stay tuned this week for stories from our members about what they think it takes to be successful and switch gears into travel writing and photography.
Complete Confidence, Part 2: Gain Confidence To Boost Your Success
Complete Confidence, Part 3: A Successful Travel Writer Must Keep On Showing Up
Complete Confidence, Part 4: How To Gain Confidence As A Solo Traveler
Complete Confidence, Part 5: How To Achieve Success At Anything In Life
Travel Writing Resources
How To Become A Travel Writer – The Easy Way
Easy Steps To Landing Your First Byline As A Travel Writer
Marketing For Travel Writers: 5 Ways To Get Started
22 Travel Story Ideas To Get You Published
