I used to live by the idea that I should be ready when proverbial lightning strikes. If I made myself as good as possible at as many things as possible, then someday someone would open a door for me and I would be ready to walk through it. I’ve since learned that it doesn’t work that way, that I have as much chance of success by doing that as getting struck by lightning.
No one will open a door for you unless you are at the door.
As a creative person, as a performer, I see and read about so many people looking to get to “the next level.” Some of them are great. Some of them (like me) probably just think they are.
Most of them have one thing in common: they haven’t actually figured out where they need to go, and gone there. If they want to sell a book, they have to get the whole package as ready as they can, find out who could publish it for them, and go make the case to each one until someone opens the door. If they want to be a star performer, they have to do everything a performer does, then figure out exactly what they want from someone with the money and power to help them succeed, and finally ask that person for the help.
It’s that simple, and it’s not easy. In fact, it’s so difficult almost no one does it. And even though going to the door is no guarantee someone will open it, I promise that no one will open the door if you’re not standing there knocking.
Why would they? Not that they have anything against you, but why open a door when no one is standing there? Would you open your front door to let someone in if they were across town?
There are two exceptions to this rule, of course. When you’re very famous, people are looking for you. They see you at a distance and they open the door in the hopes that you will come in.
The other exception is the person who wants your money for something you may not actually need. They will open the door and stand there, hoping for anyone at all to walk through. Their job is to make anyone who comes close think there’s something on the other side of the door that’s worthwhile.
Remember, knocking on the door isn't the end, but the beginning. Then there are the questions: Is it the right door? Is anybody home? Are you ready to go through? That's a whole 'nother blog.
How about you? Have you gone to the door? Did anyone ever open a door for you when you weren’t standing there?