What it Takes to Be an Overnight Success

What??!?? This didn't just happen magically because of your charm and good looks? I'm shocked! I thought people just sent you bags of money.

This is effective communication without all of the fancy bells and whistles. One minute of amateur video makes your point better than a few thousand carefully-crafted words.

One of the great things about the way you use your platform is that you just put yourself out there--wysiwyg. Above any content, that's what I learn from this circle. Thanks.

It's all I have right now. That and love.

Thank you for showing us another side of Chris Brogan and another side of success. I'm sure people see your book, your blog and your life and feel you have it all. You do, but there's a tradeoff.

You asked "What would you tell the people who say that you make it look easy? Let’s talk about your overnight success, shall we? "

Though my success is not quite the caliber of yours -My overnight success took more than four years. Last month it was Los Angeles, today it's Las Vegas. I'm going to sleep without hugs and kisses goodnight. I'm missing out on that first thing off the school bus hug, and I'm sleeping on planes. Is it worth it? Last week a major online brand asked if they could buy my blog, so I must be doing something right. I work out of my home, talking about my passion. How many others can say the same? Is it worth spending 18 hours a day behind a laptop or sleeping on planes? We'll see.... I feel with success comes responsibility. It's what you make of it. Many people become an overnight success, not many people handle it well. Chris, you remember the things that are truly important, I think you'll continue to handle your success well.

Still amazed that people can read your blog, follow along with all you are doing and still think "Chris Brogan" and those like you happened by accident. Although one of these days you and Gary Vee and everyone out there who can be everywhere at once need to write a post telling us how the hell to get everything that needs to get done to be a Trust Agent and Crush it while not having your wife shoot you and be there for your kids :). I've said it once, I'll say it again, I dont know how you do what you do!

"...need to write a post telling us how the hell to get everything that needs to get done..." @garyvee has already done that, given us his secret method - plain old hustling thru the night, personally answering every incoming tweet and email. Approaching a million followers too! And he's already @ replied to little 'ol me.
You, and I, rightly wonder how these powerhouse guys do it with a young family. Again look at Gary's #1 rule - love your family, and we can see he does. There's a severe cost if you don't - see (via my twitter profile) a commentary blogpost I wrote about social media gurus and their failed marriages. Chris truly GETS social media, and I love his Overnight Success series. New to the internet community I salute his tireless work and am totally inspired by his incredible experience and wisdom that he passes on everywhere he goes.

Yeah, I always say that most overnight success takes 7-10 years!

This post really hit home. People ask me often how I got 45K+ Twitter Followers so fast and I tell them that before getting picked to be on the Suggested User list I was on Twitter for almost 2 years tweeting quality content & building community consistently that whole time. There's no shortcut. Work, commitment, purpose, and consistency is required. And once you get that success, there is keeping & maintaining it, a whole other post :)

wow, that's nuts. :) Congrats on your following.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." (Thomas Edison)

Awesome quote!

I love this quote, but people have to "try" to succeed at least....this means not letting fear get the best of them. Too many people who could be very successful, are hindered by fear!

100% WITH YOU on this one, Chris, haha. Speak The Truth! :D

People ask me all the time HOW I'm such a Google Monster. They think there's a trick, because people are selling trickery these days. The fact is that I think up my own content, produce my own blogs, audio and video, post them to my own blog, point people TO my blog and then do it again tomorrow.

If you want to be "me", you have to be willing to put in the hours.. Which most people are not. I'm writing this @ 7:24 am, when most people are on their 39th wink. When I wake up, I'm thinking about my online presence, because it's important to me. I enjoy expressing myself online and I enjoy the conversations people come to me with IRL because they read something I wrote or watched a video I was in.

If you want to be "me, NOW", you have to blog for 2-3 years straight on a topic that people want to read about and search for on Google. If you're not willing to do that, you can forget it. And I'm not even claiming to be a success as far as blogging. I'm successful in other things and the advice is the same.. Devote yourself to learning your craft, experimenting and using that time that you would have been goofing off to improve yourself and make yourself an authority in your field and EVENTUALLY, you'll get your props.

It only SEEMS LIKE overnight to people that didn't know what you've been doing for the past several years.

Every time I use your blog and social media as an example, I make sure people know how long you've been working at it. Which I think is the same for anyone who has had success online (Gary Vaynerchuk, Darren Rowse, John Jantsch, etc.) - it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of patience. Unfortunately I think that some of these "$10k in 30 day" schemes have people thinking that the Internet is some place where they print money to hand out....

This post, and one you posted last month that included your schedule: http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-shape-of-my-game/ , and simply trying to follow you around(read all that you write, search for and watch all the conference vids and interviews), allows one to form a pretty clear image of what it takes to KEEP all that "overnight success" on track. I truly appreciate the insight. Not only is it amazing to watch, but it sheds a real light, and tempers my own ambition and goal sets. What gets me about you, and what really matters is the payoff. I know you to be happiest when you hear about another's success or triumph,...even more so I'd guess, if you were a part. I hope to enjoy more and more of that. I have almost no desire to see the inside of 1000 taxis and the empty lobby of as many hotels in cities not my own. You do good work, and your sacrifice is depended upon and appreciated by many. If and when somebody ever says that about me, I'll count myself an overnight success too!

Absolutely so true. People what to be where you or other hard workers are but do not want to put in the work. They also believe that once you reach a certain level it is smooth sailing but so not true... it take work to keep catching the wind in the sails, just like real sailing.
Great post, awesome video and must say you look better than me after just a couple hours sleep. LOVE that you connect with your kids, despite the time, despite the schedule, despite the life... that is the mark of a true success to me.
Bravo Chris!

You are dead on. Every successful person I know has a work ethic that is borderline insane, but it’s not insane when the work you do is something you believe in enough to pour your life into it. Overnight success is doing the things most others aren't willing to do. They don't see those things because they are off watching TV, sleeping in, playing around, and watching life pass by. They just see the fruit, not the process of planting the crop... working the land and the time in between. Everyone wants the fruit but most aren't willing to start by getting their hands dirty to plant a seed then spend the time and effort in nurturing it to grow. The Dip in between is too hard for most to overcome and that’s sad.

Great message today... You've given us lots to think about.

When you're passionate about your message - as you are, Chris - I have to think that helps fuel the engines. Still, even the most passionate, talented and successful person must come dangerously close to burnout every now & then. At what point can you know it's okay to move from Overnight Success Builder to Established Successful Guy who gets a little more sleep and has a little more chill time?

The trouble with being an Established Successful Guy like Chris is that the whole world wants him at once. So he goes straight from a convention in Atlanta to Paris to deliver a 20 minute talk then straight back to the US to consult to his high end clients, and on and on. There's no chill time for a social media evangelist. Gary Vee's treading the same boards. Want to help them get more sleep? Step up and spread the same message.

Most overnight success companies actually take years. ;) And the harder you work the luckier you get. People rarely see the 18 hour days that it takes. ;)

Cheers to you!

You are right Chris. Overnight success does not happen. The only reason why this seems to happen is because most of the companies are simply not in our focus before they are getting media attention. It's continued hard work and networking that gets you there.
Knowing people helps to open doors but in the end you need to be able to perform.

I think this (at least to me) unknown quote is quite suitable:
"There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs."

Thanks

Chris, I don't mean to drop links into your comment box but I'm going to share this one because I think it's relevant:

http://sethsimonds.com/stop-waiting

To quote you:
"Overnight success doesn't sleep in, overnight success doesn't have a hobby..."

Well, that post combined with yours is a kick in the ass to get up and get moving. Because the things you wanna accomplish in life aren't going to magically take care of themselves. There is no staples easy button. At the end of the day, you determine your success by the actions you take day-in and day-out.

Thanks for the motivation my friend. Travel safe and in the words of Gary V., "Crush It" (or continue to anyway)...

Thanks for sharing the link! :)

Preach it, brother. You'll get an amen from me.:)

Thank you for sharing Chris. Great video. I am wondering how you taped this clip? Is someone walking with you or are you doing this yourself? How??

I shot it myself walking backwards with the camera at arm's length. : )

I really like what you said.

What sort of camera are you using?

Well done. I need longer arms. :-)

Very well said! I understand how hard you work, I am in the same boat working 12-14 hours each day to collaborate and inspire others to use social media as a way to influence and build a positive reputation.... to add to it all I am raising 5 kids under the age of 13 by myself.

Chris, you and I must have had the same conversation with the same woman recently :) No way have I achieved the level of success that you have but I've come a long way in the last 3 years. I wrote a post about this very topic just last week because I get really irritated when people look at someone like you and say how 'lucky' you are because of all that you've accomplished. Luck had nothing to do with it.
My post: http://researchgoddess.wordpress.com/2009/10/07...

Working hard, spending long hours, failing at things and then trying again is what makes life so interesting...
I am grateful to people like you and other successful people who demonstrate what it takes to make something important happen "overnight", over day, over weeks, over years....

At 55, I feel blessed to live in a country that allows me to make the most of every 24-hours.

Thanks for sharing this. Too many people see the glory and not the hard work and commitment behind it. Too many want the overnight success without understanding the price to pay to achieve it. And the overnight success often comes after many attempts and failures but with the persistence to continue on and never give up. I commend you for your success and the hard work you put into it.

Excellent/REAL post... I agree with you about having passion in something.. GREAT work... Brian-

Hardcore man. An overnight success hardly ever has a night to themselves. See you in Vegas.

Very powerful. What is so often noted as luck or the right place at the right time is noting more than hard work and sacrifice. You are an inspiration for achievement and how to achieve and this should be shown to everyone in the U.S!

Love the reality check, the insight, and the honesty.

I hear you 200% Chris! I've also had people say this about me: "She can handle it. She's always is able to do that kind of stuff easily." That really tweaks me! It makes me feel like they are purposely trying to diminish my achievements as something that I didn't earn through hard work and sacrifice. I realize the difference is I don't look at work as 'work' - so I always end up taking a deep breath and reminding myself that I'm lucky I've found the secret to true career satisfaction. So many people live unfulfilled lives because they can't find the passion for the work - but not us!

I don't think you became an Overnight Success, Chris. I think you have been working your arse off for years. I see what time you write stuff at night then see when you pick it up again in the morning. When you were in Los Angeles recently, I happened to get to see what your schedule was like for a day (which was insane) even though I already knew you are driven to a degree that many people will never understand. Your community is lucky that you consistently share your path so that the people who want more have a bread crumb trail to follow if they so desire. People can change and can learn and you regularly provide valuable information so that the people coming up behind you on the ladder can follow. Good job on choosing the smoothie over the pizza the other night. Sugar (and salt!!) is fuel for momentum but eventually the skinny jeans won't fit. ;)

@juliefogg

I think this is probably one of my favorite posts ever. In your video you can tell you're tired but your moving on and pushing forward because of what you believe in. People need to recognize that they might WANT to be some place professionally but that it comes with hours and hours of HARD work. Great job Chris!

I read this post and, while I respect you Chris and love to read your work, I couldn't help but think that there has to be another way. I posted another perspective here http://ow.ly/ulsa .

First time a blog post prompted a blog post that prompted me to post.
(Chris Brogan ---> Joan Ball ---> Me)

My comment (thoughts): http://bit.ly/1sqVYy

Chris,

It reminds me of the music business. People thought it was so glamorous because all they saw was the crowds, the lights and the dancing hippie chicks. But after they left the venue, they missed the exhaustion, the packing up of a ton of equipment, the venue manager who decides to pay you in beer (after the contract was signed months before) the unloading of the equipment after a long drive dodging drunks on the freeway, the tireless promotion, publicity appearances, rehearsals, etc.

Enzoology is the same. Lots of rewarding stuff - equal amounts of hard work.

Next time we have lunch together, we're not having salads. We are having big, greasy bacon cheeseburgers with fries. We deserve it.

My 7 year old is now ALSO in love with Enzo. Lock that kid up, man. : )

He's actually a robot that hypnotizes kids to do his evil will. I built him in my garage using tinker toys and an old erector set.

I don't know why every comment says "wonderful" "great" "inspirational."

I'm worried about you.

You're schedule is horrendous, you're sleep deprived and, based on the schedule you posted, you can't be spending much time with your wife and kids. At some point it will take a physical toll if it hasn't already. I don't think that's wonderful or great.

Actually, I kissed my wife and kids last night and spent some time with them before jumping on the plane. I had a few days back to back with them the day before that. I was graced by having a friend fly them out to Disneyland to spend time with me for a few days before a gig.

We're seeing each other.

And what if I work this hard for another 3 years and then can devote months at a time to my family. Still a bad gig? I say no.

Chris,

#1 Your hair is wet.
#2 Is this your new "elevator" speech?

The Franchise King
Joel Libava

Working towards my own overnight success, one day at a time. :)

Great message, and like others mentioned, it goes along with what Malcolm Gladwell talks about in Outliers. When I was in college, I took it for granted that I'd get a great job, and when it didn't happen, it took a couple more years of school to not only prove to myself that I could do it, but to learn how much work was required to be successful. Now that I have that great job, people tell me I'm lucky that I get to travel around the world, etc; and sometimes it's hard not to snap back.

It makes me cringe when I hear friends and relatives who are in high school and college say the same things I said, and take the same things for granted. Guess it's true that youth is wasted on the young.

You are so right Chris. Most people think my time on the road in glamorous. They don't see that after I leave the meeting with them, I go back to my room to answer emails, write articles or solve other client's problems. And many day the travel is challenging to say the least. There are glamorous times, but you must work really hard to get to those times. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

Very eye opening to those who want things to happen like a McDonald's Drive Through. It's also extremely important that the 'success' we're after does not sacrifice our core values on the altar: family, friends, etc.

I found your blog when i searched for the top 10 advertising blogs. Found the AdAge Power 150. And the #1 was you. I was like, who is this guy? Loved your video this morning. Now I get it! I've been enjoying and sharing your work. Carry on!

Glad you stuck around. : )

Nicholas Z Cardot said in an earlier comment that "People often fail to see the amount of work and effort that go into a successful venture."

Exactly! And I wonder if part of that is due to people not recognizing certain work AS work?

You see a guy digging ditches in the hot sun -- yeah, he's working. But the media -- and anyone on the outside looking in -- don't see activities such as (seemingly) staring into space at your laptop as you’re thinking furiously, strategizing and planning and drafting the next blog entry; getting in touch w/ people; coordinating the logistics of an event; etc. as "real" work. Especially if you’re not in a cubicle reporting for duty.

So, those activities don't count. And thus, you're not working. Therefore when you reach a level that is generating media buss, you're an “overnight” success.

Kind of like the best-selling author whose "first" novel gets published and makes it on Oprah -- but no one talks about the 6 other novels in that author's files which were stillborn, but yet taught him his craft.

That's exactly the truth. You are right on. When you watch a play and everything is fun and amazing you never even see the stagehands working furiously behind the scenes to make sure that everything keeps rolling smoothly.

I think people often tie "overnight success" in with "just got lucky". Neither is true for the Chris Brogans of the world. It takes A LOT of sacrifice, and passion. I've been working hard for 27 years to be an overnight success. Maybe someday I'll make it too.

yip an overnight success requires a lots of through the night work. Your damned if you do and F**ked if you don't. Good luck to the begrudgers...who would only wish to be an overnight success!

I'm curious as to how long it took you to become "an overnight success"?

11 years and counting. : )

Clearly, you have to love what you are doing, witnessed by the fact you dozed off at 3am, only to be back up and on your way by 6am.

If anyone wants to know what it takes to create an overnight success, read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. 10,000 hours of work, patience, belief in yourself and guts to do things most humans fear with a bit of luck mixed in not to mention the support from family and friends (especially significant others--thanks Rob!) Glad you are leading the way and had the guts to create this video. (You don't want to see me at 5:45 am, TRUST me!)

Chris,

Thank you for telling it how it is. I'm not quite there yet, and I will be. Maybe not as famous and I am fine with that. I will have a very good income from working my passion and helping the people I do. It both scares and excites me knowing even some of the possibilities that are out there. Thanks again Chris.

what a simple, yet true message....i have owned my own business for seven years, stressed over line of credit issues...and often worked 20 hour days first three years because it was all me.....every day is a new education...spend a lot of time saying " if i only knew then what i know now"...and a lot of my new knowledge that is making my newest venture very exciting has come from you Chris! In the short time i have been reading your stuff, i feel like I am equipped to really do great things...overnite:)

Wonderful message Chris.

Thanks for showing us your view of overnight success. I admire your work and message that you send out. One day soon you will get some well deserved rest!

I do understand how things need time and hard work to take shape. I am not an overnight success yet but I am working on it. I go to bed around 1-3am nowadays and get up around 5:45am or so. I work different projects and jobs. From building my business to being a stay-at-home Dad to my 5 and 4-year-old with special needs, I use every waking moment to come up with new ideas for my business, doing medical research for my child and being Dad.

Thanks again Chris for showing us your view of overnight success.

Kudos for the dose of the reality that so often gets swept under the rug. It takes persistence to live one's dream but I think a lot of people don't understand the physical realities of genuine persistence because they've never lived it. Thankfully you're modeling how.

Whatever the dream, it may be rewarding work, it may be even fun, and a person might be full of passion for it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a price. That doesn't mean it isn't physically exhausting. And that doesn't mean we all don't think about giving up and needing a break.

And those rare cases of actual overnight (usually celebrity media-fueled) sucess usually crash and burn because since they didn't have to work to get there, they don't know how to work to stay there. (and it's gotta be worse to have had it and lost it than to never even have tried.)

Keep rollin' Chris, because you've got staying power and through it you inspire us all!

Very effective way to make your point - especially the pitch black ending.
Wish I were that coherent on 3 hrs sleep.

I'm getting an insane amount of support from my girlfriend to allow me to focus on getting back to writing posts and trying to put together ways to tell stories about what this is that we do and why it's so much fun. It means going to conferences whenever I can afford to so I can learn as much as possible and knowing that one day we'll get a reasonable amount of sleep. It also means being more outgoing than I normally like to be and not just hiding behind my keystrokes.

The great part about the world of overnight successes is knowing how long the journey is to get there and remembering if you ever do get "there" why you do what you do and not letting up.

Hope to see you soon...

Chris-

This is an important message... and one people rarely think about.

It goes to success in any arena... not just having "fame",etc..

The other day someone told me they had not ever been very good at networking, and never paid much attention to it. They mentioned they hated attending "happy hours" and other networking events and conferences. They concluded by saying they were in need of work, and now quickly needed to build a network because they realize most jobs come through connections.

What? You cannot build "overnight success" or an "overnight network". These things take dedication of the soul over many years. It is like going to Hollywood. Brad Pitt did not just show up and start getting paid $20 million a movie. He started young and built a career. Key word... BUILT.

You continue to be a person who lets people look under the kimono. Thanks for your inspirational messages!

thom

I don't think I have the answer to the "overnight success" story, but I do know that success can come in many different shapes and sizes. The question we should ask ourselves is, "What does success mean to me?" Once we have a picture in our minds of this "success" then we can better plan our steps to achieve it.

Thanks for sharing!

Chris, this may be one of your most potent and poignant posts ever, for me. I have a lot to say on this one ... but I have to gather some thoughts first. But I just wanted to say that this one really touched me. And I thank you for that.

Chris,

Four words: I feel your pain.

As T.E. Lawrence is alleged to have said as he was asked what was the trick and why he wasn't being burned, or why it didn't hurt as he held his hand over the open flame of a candle, Lawrence said "The trick? The trick is not minding!"

Making it look easy is all about not minding the crap, the late nights, the blurred vision, the aches, the pains, the sore fingers from typing, and the bouncing from cab to plane to hotel (or whatever one's own version of this might be). The life style of Aerosmith looks great until you realize they've been doing it for over 30 years and that for MANY of those years, they slept in old vans and cheap, flea-ridden motels and ate crappy food before playing in sweaty dives to 15 drunks and three hookers.

15 years ago I gave a presentation to about 70 people. My pitch was called "Making it look easy!" and it was all about creating exhibits in museums, which is what I do when I'm not building my credibility online.

Let's be honest here: the banner of "an overnight success" is a BS term created
by the main stream media so that they can have something to write about. Instant success, "just add water, makes its own sauce" is a myth—a nice myth—but a myth never the less.

Five years ago I was working on a major gallery overhaul. We'd spent $5 million bucks and I'd asked for 8 weeks to get the show back together, to test all the AV and lighting, and to iron out all the bugs. I was given THREE WEEKS. On the second or third day a younger co-worker was sitting down, mopping her brow. I asked if she was OK. She said "Man! This is HARD work!"

No shit Sherlock. Welcome to my world.

Making things happen IS hard work. It takes COMMITMENT, EFFORT, and GRAFT. That's why the ones with TRUE GRIT are the ones that become the top players: because they stick at it.

Just yesterday I learned I'm now the # 1 contributing "Expert" on Social Media over at Marketing Profs http://bit.ly/15IAvh . Lots of people helped me do this, one of whom is YOU. No way I could have done it alone. So, I'm making progress. It might take me longer to make it, but I'm working on it.

When you sit down at the top table, do me a favour.

Save me a seat.

"just making sure the message you believe in with all your heart" - thanks for that. It reminded me that it's about the message and the words and touching the life of just one person.

Keep up the good work!

Chris, thanks for being authentic about what it takes as well . . .I will be replaying this video a lot - for my own inspiration! Thanks and make sure you get some sleep every now and then! :)

Chris, this was really heartening. Last week at work was like this for me every day -- I was running a conference -- and being reminded that the work ethic I'm building now is directly relatable to the kind of work ethic you have (and that many of the other "overnight successes" out there probably have) is quite encouraging.

Sending one last message, making one more call, eeking out 2-3 more hours of each day...focus, engage, deliver....and there's still room to pursue passions and hobbies

Seeing as it was less than 12 hours ago since I left you guys in Portland, I appreciate the message and empathize with you.

It may be just as well to state that innovation does not take a nap and that we stand to be lapped if we dare to be idle. Each day I wake up, I see that the cards have been shuffled and my best way to win is to play more hands with both calculated and ballsy wagers. Game on!

Get ready to live. Oddly, that's really starting to ring bells with me. : )

Love this video! Short and makes a damn good point. Everybody wants to be a rock star, but very few want to learn how to read music.

Chris,
I’m not (yet) an overnight success financially, but I am an overnight success in terms of being pursued by potential clients. (I’m being a bit facetious with the term success – but it’s all relative) So, I am in that space between the breath; that cosmic void…working very hard writing proposals and offering a lot of free initial consults. And now waiting…and wondering – do I have what it takes to pull this off? I know that I do, but I saw how tired you looked at IMS last week and knew that you were not getting enough sleep or very much time with your family. And I did reflect on the question of whether that kind of sacrifice is required? Apparently it is. I think I’ll take “slightly famous” for now. Please don’t let your self-care take too much of a back seat - and as I'm sure you hear almost daily - “put the oxygen mask on yourself first!”

There is no such thing as an overnight success. I once read that on average it takes a minimum of 7 years. In the "Outliers" Gladwell describes how it takes an average of 10,000 hours to get good at what you are doing.

Chris, - I appreciate your work, your drive, and what you bring to the world and for
letting us see you as a real person, with a family life, lovely values and commitment for what you do.

The concept of overnight success should quantified in terms of biblical nights and days. People continually ask me where do I find the time to run business, write articles, post to my blog, comment on others. Like you Chris, the last time I checked I had the same 24 hours per day as everyone else. It's all about the choices you make. And what is today will not be tomorrow. Thanks for the post.

Chris,
Thanks for appreciation of the saying, "Careful what you wish for!".
Thanks

Travel, speaking, writing, notoriety, acknowledgment, all seem more glorious to spectators than doers. They are found on roads less traveled.

Oh, try a magnesium supplement before bed to help with falling asleep.

Great post and video Chris!

What are YOU doing to succeed?
I work one full-time job as a documentation specialist, teach one course per quarter online for the UCSD Extension program, do some free work for a company trying to get started, study my craft, and pray. I go to bed late and get up five to six hours later.

What would you tell the people who say that you make it look easy? Walk with me. I cannot do this alone. Work with me as I work. Learn that my strength comes from the God who created me, those I serve, and a passion for doing something I enjoy very well.

Preston

As simple as a message that this is Chris, it's still inspirational (and motivational) to hear it from you.

Great reality video! I'm working hard on my success which at the time consists of getting through the daily tasks of being a leader. I enjoy following your hard work and success on Twitter, blogs and newsletters and with each new post you give me something to think about. Thank you!

What you do may look really easy to others, mostly because it's hard for them, or they can't imagine themselves doing the same thing. I always think about that when people say, sincerely "How do you do all of that??" and I think "Because it's what I NEED to do"- not for money, but to make a difference and make a change- to make the world just a bit better in any way I can.

Hi

Very well done - thank you.
Just wondering what your definition of "overnight success" is? One month? One year?

Thanks,
Juliet

Being an overnight success requires some amount of luck. And as Seneca said "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Good words.

BTW... love the graphic header for this post. Dope.

Chris, you need some sleep being powerful again.

Stefan

Thanks Chris, you're an iceberg like many 'successful' people brother.

Success is the result of the 2/3rds of hard work and sacrifice that people don't see like missing your family before they sleep.

You asked: "What would you tell the people who say that you make it look easy? Let’s talk about your overnight success, shall we?"

I'd say I succeeded because of the support of my family to enable me to pursue my dream. Success wasn't easy but it was an enjoyable ride.

and then there is Tim Ferris,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Ferriss

and those I meet who are spending less and working less. Makes you check your definition of success.

Not wanting to argue but, I'm not sure I agree with this. If you watch some of Tim's videos you get to know he actually applies himself pretty hard, and seems to be a really determined and focused person. His "work" is an issue of semantics, as he said in one of the videos he has on his blog when speaking at a wordpress conference. something like "I don't count the stuff I love as work"

Chris loves his work to ... "so arguably" isn't actually working hard either ... but it looks like his passion is wearing him down at the moment.

I remember when you were just an IT middle manager who wore a red rubber ball on his nose!

Great clip and so true. I think he real success is actually making it look easy as well. I get asked all the time how do you have time for all this ? Really you make time for what is in your heart. I have a passion for my career ,media, and not new media. Thanks for the clip it rang a bell for me as well !!!! Success does start early and makes sacrifices !

I'm getting there. I'm becoming more well known in my field (forensic linguistics), and I'm building, slowly, all of the contacts I need. I'm not a success *yet* but I'll hit the catalyst at some point, and when I do, I'm already mostly ready, or at least I hope I am. And I think what makes it all the sweeter is I'm working for it. I don't believe in 'overnight' success - I believe in sustained effort. And that's why I love reading your stuff - you've kept going and kept going and you're good at what you do. I hope to do just as well when I'm in your position (and I will be, just you watch) in my own field of work ;)

I'm with you brother! I went to bed at 1:30 last night. I had a bunch of new ideas for my presentation running through my head, I couldn't sleep, here I am back at the keyboard at 6:15. I worked on 14 different projects last night before turning in.

I turned off the tv and watched some great marketing videos instead of sports (this one was very compelling Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg Keynote at Brandweek http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=55385... ).

I worked on a blog post about the conference, I worked on an upcoming webinar, I worked on a few client projects, I worked on a new community website, I prepared my audio equipment so I can record conversations with Trust Agents like Mr. Chris Brogan for a podcast, I Tweeted and ReTweeted, I Facebooked, I reviewed resumes, I created a new logo, I packed my "I'm not a blogger I just tweet a lot" t-shirt, etc. etc.

If am am lucky to be an overnight success one-tenth as famous as Chris Brogan one day I will have earned it one keystroke at a time. :)

Being successful is a TON of hard work and people think it happens in two seconds. They never see all of the behind the scene struggles that take place prior to all of the success. If you want to be good and successful at something which is hard to do you need to put in the work because their are no short cuts and people need to relaize that.

Thanks for sharing!

Well said. Hopefully people can't stop expecting that after sending out their first tweet or blog post that a check will magically show up in the mailbox. Success requires working smart and hard. Too bad the media only tells the end of most success stories, and skips over the multi-year grind it takes to get there. Thanks for saying this.

People often fail to see the amount of work and effort that go into a successful venture.

"The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow