Trekking the Secret Path to Success
Today’s teens agree on one thing: the ultimate dream job. What is it? “Influencer.” An astounding 86% of people age 13 to 38 say they would like to become influencers.
Ten years ago, the desire for fame was already common. But luckily for parents, one could say that it required skills. Talent. Knowledge. Education. Want to become a famous actor? Try out for the school play, take acting classes, and hone your craft. The same went for other types of fame; famous designers, famous composers, famous athletes. Each required skills that would still be valuable without celebrity.
But today’s teens believe – accurately – that fame can be had without hard skills. And that perspective is having a big impact on where our kids invest their time, how they view their own worth, and what they’ll attain in the future.
Today’s “influencer” culture tells our teens that the path to success is lined with likes and followers. And for some, that might be. But for the vast majority of the world, success depends on mastering a skill, building relationships, and hustling.
Their distraction could unlock your destiny.
This is good news and bad news. What’s the silver lining? Those willing to take the harder path to success may find it much less crowded than before. Consider the humble beginnings of some of the world’s biggest successes:
Howard Putman, the CEO of Southwest Airlines, started out as a baggage handler at the age of 17.
The head of Planet Fitness, Chris Rondeau, started at the front desk of the very gym twenty-five years earlier.
Ursula Burns, chairman of Xerox, began her career with the company as an intern. This, after being raised by a single mom who never made more than $4,400.
Famed money sage Suze Orman got her start on Wall Street by serving its bankers as a waitress. Only after investing some of her heard-earned wages did she make the switch to the world of finance.
And Hollywood Royalty George Clooney began his career not in acting, but in sales. From selling insurance door-to-door to working the night shift at a liquor store, Clooney’s early life was anything but posh.
What do these stories have in common? Humility and diligence. As others scramble for likes that could soon disappear (literally), your teen could start climbing a ladder that could give them a major advantage in work and life.
Look behind the curtain – literally.
If your teen knows where they’d like life to take them, there’s another shortcut to finding success: the “hidden career.” For every well-known job (like actor, news anchor, or first chair violinist), there are ten less obvious careers that can provide invaluable exposure and experience. These are jobs like production assistant, box office manager, lighting assistant, and wardrobe manager. Take a look at the hidden jobs required to get Death Cab for Cutie on stage:
Making it big is a worthwhile dream. But getting there may take more time than you expect. By placing yourself strategically, then working diligently, you could find your dreams well within your reach.
For more about “hidden careers,” check out our full episode and corresponding free lesson plan.
