it took me 25+ years to realize what i'll tell you in 13 minutes

Summary

In this motivational video, the speaker shares valuable life lessons learned over 25 years of personal growth. The key message is that success isn’t about waiting for the world to recognize you but about believing in yourself long before others do. Emphasizing the importance of private victories, the speaker encourages viewers to stay persistent and disciplined during times of invisibility and struggle. Drawing inspiration from *The Great Gatsby*, the speaker highlights the power of vision, resilience, and self-belief in achieving success. Ultimately, the message is that with determination, your efforts will eventually become undeniable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Success takes time and often begins in the 'invisible season' where your efforts go unnoticed.
• 😀 You don't need to wait to become someone; you already are, and it's about believing in yourself before the world sees it.
• 😀 Most people fail not due to lack of talent, but because they can't endure the period when no one acknowledges them.
• 😀 Private victories, like building your skills and discipline, always precede public successes that others can see.
• 😀 Persistence is key: it’s about continuing the work even when you feel invisible and the world doesn't applaud.
• 😀 Self-belief is crucial—successful people see themselves as heroes before anyone else does.
• 😀 Your journey is unique, and success doesn’t have a set timeline. Stay focused on growth rather than comparison.
• 😀 Heroes come in different forms, and being a hero doesn’t mean material wealth or fame—it’s about personal achievement and making an impact.
• 😀 People will often view your success as 'lucky' or 'gifted,' but you know that it’s the result of years of hard work and growth.
• 😀 The most important victories are the ones you achieve in private, building the foundation for what will later be recognized by the world.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker is trying to convey?

The speaker emphasizes that success is not about waiting for external recognition but about having the self-belief and persistence to grow, even when you're invisible to the world. Success comes from the private victories that build your foundation, and it’s important to stay resilient through challenging seasons.

Why does the speaker mention their old YouTube videos?

The speaker keeps their old YouTube videos up to show others what it feels like to be 'invisible' to the world—before the recognition and success came. These videos serve as a reference for how one might feel during the early, unseen phases of their journey.

How does the speaker relate to the concept of 'roots' in the context of success?

The speaker compares their own journey to the growth of a tree, explaining that success requires deep foundations, just like the roots of a tree. You don't see the roots, but they are essential for stability. The invisible work you put in today is like the roots that will later support your success.

What role does self-belief play in success, according to the speaker?

Self-belief is crucial to success. The speaker believes that the key to becoming successful is having the confidence to see yourself as a hero before the world acknowledges you as one. This self-image forms the foundation for future success.

What does the speaker mean by 'private victories'?

Private victories refer to the unseen efforts and battles one faces when no one is watching. These are the moments of personal growth, discipline, and skill-building that lay the groundwork for future public achievements.

How does the speaker describe the journey of success in relation to other people's views?

The speaker acknowledges that success is often misunderstood by others. People might not give you credit or might even call you lucky. However, success is the result of years of hard work and private struggles, not just external validation or apparent good fortune.

What is the significance of 'becoming undeniable'?

Becoming undeniable means reaching a point where your success and worth are so evident that they can't be ignored, even if the world didn’t notice your efforts at the start. It’s about proving to yourself and others that your growth was real, despite being unseen for a long time.

Why does the speaker emphasize 'the invisible season' of success?

The invisible season is a period when you put in work without recognition. The speaker highlights its importance because this phase is essential for building resilience and developing the internal strength needed for later success. It’s crucial to embrace this phase rather than seeking quick wins.

How does the speaker use the story of 'The Great Gatsby' to illustrate their message?

The speaker relates to 'The Great Gatsby' not for its wealth and parties, but for the vision Gatsby had for his life long before anyone else saw it. Like Gatsby, the speaker believes that you must first see yourself as successful before the world acknowledges it, and you must persist even when others don't recognize your vision.

What does the speaker mean by saying 'heroes come in all shapes and sizes'?

The speaker stresses that being a hero doesn’t have to mean fame or wealth. Heroism can take many forms, and the most important thing is to define what being a hero means to you. Success is personal and can be reflected in various ways beyond material achievement.