Don't Ask How to Succeed

Want something to chuckle about? Google “how to succeed.” Pay no attention to the number of returns (61.4 million). Consider, instead, that there are thousands of people who believe they have the recipe for “you” to succeed. Digest a few of their words. You quickly find them based on rational thinking, logical steps, work, and - mostly - luck. Starting out, everyone possesses the attributes for success. It’s how much we add of each through life that screws most people out of succeeding. A quick story on why I don’t dabble in advising how to succeed. In the 1980s, my sister’s 17-year old nephew (her brother-in-law’s son) told me he wanted to be a rock star. (He played a great guitar.) He questioned whether he should move to Hollywood. Knowing I worked in radio, and in Muscle Shoals AL for awhile, he thought I had some insight; fact is, my big head thought so too. My response was firm: “You have a good job here, a good family, and your shot at making it big is small. Stay put.” He ignored my words. There’s also the matter of where “trying to succeed” stops and “succeeded” starts. Much depends on your yardstick: Is it dollars, recognition, or position? A little while later Gilby Clarke took over for Izzy in Guns & Roses. Yes, that same Gilby is my sister’s nephew! These bad guesses for success aren’t limited to just one. Another for me was when, as a TV producer/director, I passed on the opportunity to direct a new form of video. I was doing well making medical educational videos and, besides, who would want to watch a music video over and over? You can’t second guess the future. The true secret is to do whatever is pushing your passion button, in whichever direction it’s being pushed. The only advice I give now is “make sure you enjoy the journey.” This whole success thing is over-rated if your state of mind is “happy,” so I say with sincerity that not many people are more successful than me. Ken Dardis 440-564-7437 Audio Graphics, Inc. RRadio Music RadioRow Audio Graphics