I’ve really started to notice that, a lot of the time, what I say I want to do isn’t what I actually do.
Maybe some of these sound familiar?
- “I really want to start saving” followed by a shopping spree (or three).
- “I really want to run every morning” followed by a whole
weekmonth of sleep-ins and excuses. - “I really want to start a blog”, “I really want to read everyday“, “I really want to stop eating delicious, sugary foods” followed by no blog, no reading and a lot of delicious, sugary food.
So that got me thinking – do we actually want to do the things we say we want to do? Or do we just want the result without the work?
What makes the Kardashians different?
Whenever I watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians (which is more than I’d like to admit) I always find myself thinking about why Kim, Khloe and Kourtney are so successful.
What sets them apart from the millions of people that are trying to become famous but never make it?
This isn’t one of those rants about how the Kardashians don’t deserve anything they have. No, this is about how there is SO much we can learn from the Kardashians about success. Yes, even those of us who don’t want to be famous for being famous can learn a thing or two from Kiki, Khlo & Kourt.
They’re the doers. They’re the action takers.
They work day in day out regardless of the shit people say about them. They make things happen and they don’t make excuses. They put themselves out there even when they know they’re not perfect.
But when it comes down to it I think there are 3 huge differences between people who live their dreams and people who spend their lives dreaming:
1. The Kardashians take persistent action (i.e. do the work)
We all love searching for that magic bullet – the celebrity diet that will make us look like Miranda Kerr, the app that will magically help us save all our money, the workout plan that girl on Instagram uses.
None of these things hold the answer to our problems – we are the answer. We have to do the work.
And we all know this intellectually but still convince ourselves that there’s another way around it – there’s still a part of us that holds onto hope that there’s a way to live our dreams without the hard work.
There isn’t.
We have to do the work – not some diet, not some app, not some workout program. Unless you skip that shopping spree or wake up 30 minutes earlier every morning and go for that run, having the best tools in the world isn’t going to get you anywhere.
There’s no magic bullet, all there is is consistent and persistent hard work. Which leads me to the second thing:
2. The Kardashians take a long-term approach
The Kardashians keep doing the work day in and day out in the faith that it will eventually pay off. And it does.
They create their own luck and they know that you only fail when you stop trying so they never stop trying.
You have to show up every single day for a long-time with no results.
3. The Kardashians ignore the critics
The Kardashians are an amazing example of why you should ignore critics.
They literally have millions of people telling them they are undeserving, untalented and that they should just give up but what have they done? They’ve kept doing what they do anyway and have found millions of people who care.
But it’s not easy.
My story
I really struggle with this one.
I don’t have a lot of critics in my life, but that’s not because I’m amazing.
I don’t have critics because I try so damn hard not to give anyone the opportunity to be one and it’s seriously holding me back. It’s making me play small.
Take this blog for example – I’ve barely told any of my friends about it because I’m so scared they’ll laugh at me and think I’m stupid for even trying. I know it might sound dumb and irrational but I’m still really scared. I’m scared because I don’t know if I’m strong enough to withstand their doubts – it’s hard enough overcoming my inner critic.
So I’m working on it, but it’s not easy.
What do you think?
What’s your dream? Are you doing everything you can to make it happen? Do you struggle with fear like I do?
Let me know in the comments below!
Sam xx
Love this Sam! We’re all self-conscious and van get discouraged, but we just gotta keep swimming! And I don’t know how the Kardashians do it, poor things 🙁 The only way they could be more hated online is if they ticked off beliebers!! lol
Hey Jen!
Thanks so much for your comment and the reminder that everyone gets self-conscious!
And I know – the beliebers can bring it like nobody’s business haha I would not want to get on their bad side
Sam xx
Totally agree on the fear of the naysayers Sam. I’m mostly a secret blogger too because I worry most of my friends and family will think it’s stupid. If it helps, your blog is interesting and funny so I think it’s far more likely that your friends will be impressed and proud of you! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing that you’re a ‘secret blogger’ too Jen I really appreciate it! It’s funny I used to think I was the only one but the more bloggers I talk to the more I realise I’m definitely not!
And thanks so much for saying that Jen – it really means a lot! I know it’s probably true too but I really just kind have to convince myself it’s true a little more haha thank you again for your kind words!!
Sam xx
This is SUCH an amazing post, Sam! I totally and completely agree with it all. On the one hand, I honestly am not a fan of the Kardashians because I just don’t have any respect for them, however, the one thing I do respect is that despite the things that are said about them, they go out and live their lives. They make sh*t happen, whether the world wants them to or not, and they have to have tough skin because people are cruel. I’ve looked at some of the bloggers who are really successful (to me that means that they can support themselves via their blog) and they can get torn to shreds. I remember with another blog I had that was a lot more vulnerable than the one I write now, someone wrote me a really heinous comment that was incredibly out of line. I could tell that this person had her own issues that had nothing to do with me, but it still really hurt and bothered me. On the other hand, I used to get a lot of emails from people thanking me for what I wrote and being so vulnerable. I think there will always be people who hate, but there will also always be people to support you and who need what you have to offer. The latter are the ones that really matter.
Hey Alex,
Thanks so much for your comment! I totally get where you’re coming from with the Kardashians too – I didn’t like them for years until I somehow found myself addicted to their show haha I just can’t seem to pull my eyes away and am not really sure how that happened. I think I am a victim of the Kardashian marketing machine haha
And that sucks that you got hurtful comments, especially when you were helpful so many people! I always just try to remember that there is a vocal minority and unfortunately a lot of the time you hear more from the minority than the majority who love what you’re doing!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience 🙂
Sam xx
So true, Sam! I don’t feel like I have a lot of naysayers either and it is probably because I don’t stand up for what I do, specifically things that are vulnerable to me. It’s exciting to see you grow in confidence in recognizing these challenges and conquering them!
Hey Autumn!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I feel like I am recognising these challenges more than I am conquering them but I am slowly getting there!
And it’s always so nice to hear that there are other people who have the same struggles as me – thank you for sharing your experience! I hope that both of us can start overcoming the hurdles we place in our own way 😉
Sam xx
I love #3 and your Kardashians example!
I was actually interning for Ryan Seacrest when he was putting together the demo reel for their show. I remember thinking, “Who cares about this family.” I’m sure many people thought that as well, and voiced their opinions about it. Now look at them.
Hey Whitney 🙂
That’s so cool that you interned for Ryan Seacrest! Looking at season 1 I can definitely see why you’d think that no one would care (and even looking at it now) and yet I am strangely addicted haha
Sam xx
I totally agree with this post. I am so driven by fear that I don’t even try out or do what I want to do. I am scared of failing and not being good enough. But I am going to start trying and accomplish my goals. Thanks for this post and I am surely going to follow these steps.
Hi Jessica,
Thank you so much for your comment – I really appreciate it! I think so many of us struggle with this but not many of us talk about it! I’m getting less scared of ‘being different’ and not just taking the practical, ‘reasonable’ path but it is so incredibly hard sometimes!
I kind of feel like it’s the bucket of crabs situation – as soon as someone tries to climb out the others just pull them back in!
Sam xx
Sam! I only found your blog today but I’m so glad I did. We have so many similar interests and although I’m 27 so a bit older I deal with all of the same worries and issues! I would love to learn more about how you made such an amazing website!
Bex (Ireland) X
I am so glad I found your blog. I am literally clicking on all the links I find in one post and opening them in other tabs. I love your honesty. You are doing a great job. Thank you!
Wow this post totally hit me unexpected. Absolutely in LOVE with it. Thank you so much for your words! <3
Yes! Preach it! I’m so glad someone finally said this!
I 100% agree, watching the Kardashians gave me the motivation to start working hard and having faith that it would pay off. I’ve learned SO much just from watching them and I think they are so biz savvy and smart.