Unexpected Success

The Daily Habit For Doers

"Opportunities don't often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them." 

- Audrey Hepburn

Success is sometimes linear. 

When my wife, Micaila, decided to run a half-marathon, she trained for three months, race day arrived, and she accomplished her goal. It was wonderful!

But success can also be wonderful when it’s nonlinear — when it’s unexpected.

This has often been how I’ve experienced bouts of success in my own life. I’m trying to accomplish something and I’m working really hard at it… but then success approaches from the side, from somewhere I least expected.

The most recent example of this is the following story. 

Some time ago I made a post on Facebook about The Tonic — I was excited because we’d finally, after two years of writing emails and building our audience, become profitable. This was a big milestone. And it was a little emotional. 

So I shared the story on Facebook. 

Someone (I can’t say names) saw that post who’s a very successful business owner and who’s launching several of his own newsletters. He reached out to me and asked if I could write for or manage those newsletters in some capacity.

This relationship has been a total game-changer for my freelance writing business and it’s allowed me to hire and work with some other amazing writers. 

But this only happened because I spent the last two years doing something I care about… and working really hard at it.

Sometimes, success comes from a place we least expect it — and it’s our job to condition ourselves to be as prepared for these unexpected opportunities as possible. 

Here are some ways you can prepare for (and even create) unexpected success… 

Stay consistent and committed: Commitment to your goals, regardless of how difficult they may be, can lead to unexpected success. Your persistence and consistency make you more likely to recognize and seize opportunities that may arise unexpectedly.

Embrace flexibility: Success is often a winding path, not a straight line. Be open to change and embrace the unexpected. When you're flexible in your approach, you become more receptive to opportunities that come your way.

Keep learning and developing your skills: The more skills you have and the more knowledge you acquire, the better equipped you'll be when unexpected opportunities arise. Never stop learning, because you never know when a new skill or bit of knowledge might come in handy.

Network and communicate: The power of networking and communication cannot be overstated. Opportunities often come from the least expected sources, like the business owner who noticed your Facebook post. Keep sharing your journey, your milestones, your struggles and victories - you never know who's watching and what opportunities might come from it.

Practice patience: Success, especially unexpected success, often requires patience. It takes time to build something worthwhile, and the rewards may not be immediate. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination.

Keep your eyes open: Always be on the lookout for potential opportunities. They might not always look like what you expected, but with an open mind and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, you might just find something extraordinary.

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