May 21 2012

Will Smith’s Secret to Success

What does a treadmill have to do with Will Smith’s success as a movie star and actor?

Everything!

When asked by an interviewer to explain his success, he responded:

“I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be outworked. You may be more talented than me. You might be smarter than me. And you may be better looking than me. But if we get on a treadmill together you are going to get off first or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple. I’m not going to be outworked.”

But what about his talent you might ask. After all, he is charismatic, funny and a great actor. Isn’t that the reason for his success? Not according to Will Smith. In fact he considers himself to be slightly above average in the talent category. Rather, he attributes his success to his work ethic.

You may be surprised to hear this because popular opinion says that successful people who have risen to the top of their profession got there because “they were lucky” or “they were chosen” or “they were born with more talent than everyone else.” We overestimate their talent and we underestimate our own.

In my research for Training Camp I found that people such as Will Smith are not super human and they don’t have some mutant gene that makes them better. What makes them stand out is that they work harder. It’s really that simple. When others are wasting time, they are improving. When others are scattering their energy they are practicing and zoom focusing.

Of course talent is necessary to excel at something but natural ability will only take someone so far. The key is to infuse one’s talent with hard work, passion and a drive for excellence.

So what does Will Smith have to do with you?

Everything!

Training Camp If you want to take your career or “game” to the next level you must be willing to pay the price that greatness requires. You must be willing to work harder than everyone you know. There’s no easy shortcut. Hard Work has been, is and always will be the key to anyone’s success. To be your best you must invest all that you are to become everything you wish to be.

Are you willing to pay the price? Download a free “I Am Willing to Pay the Price” poster (PDF). Then you and your team sign the poster.

Share your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

- Jon

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Tags: jon gordon, success, will smith

Cloverpratt23

Jon,
I completely agree with this article and know that work ethic is huge when it comes to success. I am conflicted though because death on a treadmill does not appeal to me. Of course I know that this is metaphoric but at what point do we have to look at the other components of “success” and say work will have to wait. God, my family, my health, and my sanity have to come first throughout different points in my life. I am an assistant principal and while I could always work harder, working more would take everything else away that I love. I admire Will Smith for his work ethic, his being one of the few family men in Hollywood and for his talent, but even then, he knows that line. Any thoughts?

Jon Gordon

I agree with what you are saying. I think we need a part 2 to this newsletter because we must work hard but not sacrifice our relationshps in the process.

http://talesofwork.com/ kimanzi constable

That’s a great quote, really inspiring!
http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

Great story from Will Smith. What he’s doing is the key. Keep doing what you’re doing longer than you think you can. You’ll hit the breakthrough point eventually.
Pingback: Jon Gordon’s Weekly Newsletter « pauldisegna
http://www.indiebusinessblog.com Donna Maria Coles Johnson

Thanks for a great post, Jon. Based on my experience, I don’t think you have to work more to work harder. While there are times when you do, like when a big project is due, it’s not a state you have to constantly life in.

I think working “harder” than anyone else actually includes working at your relationships too. As a married (12 years) CEO with two young children, I work really really super hard at maintaining a healthy marriage and family, and I work really really super hard at maintaining a healthy business too. They do not exclude each other. I don’t read this post or Will’s comments as relating only to business or career, and I don’t see him living his life that way either. He seems to be one of the hardest working people in show business. He also seems to be working hard to keep his family strong, and it looks like his wife is doing the same. They are both working hard, and I agree, based on my own experience and on what I see from watching people like Will Smith, that how hard you’re willing to work — and for how long — can provide your professional career with a great deal of leverage.

I also want to point out that working hard does not mean working hard at everything. You have to choose your options. If you work super hard in one niche, then you don’t wear yourself out trying to “compete.” You dig a deep trench where you are, work hard in your trench, and keep it up when others drop out because it’s too hard or taking too long. Eventually, what happens is the type of work you have to do will change and it won’t be as hard as it was in the beginning.

I’m eyeing all of your books too. Each one looks great, but I’m thinking Training Camp might be a good one for me to select. I’m going to subscribe to your blog too. Thanks!
Anonymous

Great story.

I like what you said — “When others are wasting time, they are improving. When others are scattering their energy they are practicing and zoom focusing.”

That doesn’t strike me as being a workaholic; it strikes me as being focused, maximizing time and energy. If we’re not focused or maximizing our time and energy, it doesn’t really matter how many hours we put in!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=690722274 Pamela J Lewis

Wonderful post Jon. I also appreciate the comments on Will Smith’s attention to working hard at keeping his family strong. One might say that he is working hard at having a fulfilling and well rounded life.

I believe that it is a matter of working at being the best you can be, working with what talent, gifts and work that you have, giving 100% and remaining positive through all that makes a successful person no matter the station or position in life.
http://www.addvalue.com.au/promotional-products-promo-items-articles-strategies Vickie Watkins

I think Will Smith is just dedicated to what he do and what he loves to work. Just like Denzel Washington were in Will Smith exerts all his efforts in the field he is working. Plus he also gives credit to his die hard fans who keeps on supporting him.

Will Smith's Secret to Success

Will Smith’s Secret to Success

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Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

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