The Seduction of “Easy”

In Seth Godin’s book, The Dip, he talks about the commonplace fantasy of seeing others succeed:

We’re seduced by the tales of actresses being discovered at the local drugstore, or a classmate who got a fantastic job just by showing up at the college placement office. We see an author hit the big time after just one appearance on Oprah or a rock band getting signed after submitting a demo–it all seems easy and exciting.

These stories, while enticing, are an anomoly. They represent less than a fraction of a percent. Yet somehow we are sucked into the myth that “if only I were in the right place it would happen to me”. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t.

What we don’t hear about are the common, everyday stories of putting in the work. Making our story, our path, and our journey unique and meaningful to us.

Matthew Weiner, creator of AMC’s Mad Men, lived with the script and idea for almost eight years before it was picked up by a network for production. It wasn’t a stream of consciousness that flowed effortlessly from his mind nor was he lounging in his slippers drinking minty cocktails and the phone magically rang one day.

It was years of trying, revising, accepting rejection, hearing “no”, and continuing to hope. Matthew’s story is normal.

Most of us will never have a hit TV show. But that is not the point. The point is that the myth of “easy” should be removed from our mind. Regardless of your vocation, it takes time, work, and struggle.

Milton Glaser, an iconic 20th century graphic designer, had the following printed inside his studio:

Everything is work. Nothing is easy. Embrace putting in the time.

It’s always worth it.