"The Messy Middle: Why Success Is More Than Just the Finish Line"

To me, the message is quite simple: the reality is that “life” is not easy and “life” is not fair. It’s easy for everyone to look at someone else and think, “wow, they are successful” or “they have a good life”, but sometimes we forget to ask ourselves, “how did they get there” or “what do I need to do in order to be that successful”. And while we read books, watch television shows, and listen to stories of triumph, I don’t think we hear enough, in detail, about the journey and struggle to success.

The truth of the matter is that success is like an iceberg. As spectators, we only see the top layer or the final result. But it takes much more than just showing up or using your words in order to be successful. In order to be successful, it takes hard work, sacrifice, good habits, failure, persistence, being goal oriented, focus, and risk. And even if this formula doesn’t pan out as perfectly planned, it is your job to get up and keep trying.

Often in life and business, things are not what they seem the messy middle is what really creates true success. Just like an iceberg, success has a deep side we rarely see.

Every successful person you know endured the long slow walk to success. As they reached the pinnacle of success, they grew more experienced, made fewer mistakes, improved their decision-making skills and did more of what works or delivered the results they wanted.

If you want to achieve some really big and interesting goals, you have to learn to fall in love with the messy middle and not give up.