There’s no end to the number of seven-step articles or listicles online telling you how to be successful or how to fast-track your success. Who doesn’t want the inside scoop on how to make success happen quickly? The reality is there is no seven steps to success. Anyone peddling this kind of hack is preying people who are desperate and time-poor.
Real success relies on one step at a time, learning from your mistakes and having a solid plan. Seven- (or however many) step articles oversimplify a long and slow journey.
No one-size-fits-all solution
Is the article selling you a this-is-all-you-need solution? You can’t achieve success, using only an article. Your personal journey, alongside the unique obstacles in your life, will change the predicted trajectory that you are on. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Sounds too easy
You know that annoying stereotypical sales-guy voice you hear on TV infomercials? They say things like “that’s not all” and “it’s hassle-free”. It gets your attention but at the same, you know you are being marketed to. Websites use these tactics hoping to slip past your scepticism. If an article promises to make your life easier, solve your problems, or give you all the information you’ve ever needed to succeed…it’s a marketing ploy. Success is not a cut + paste technique.
Existing circumstances not considered
Where you are at is the best learning ground for your journey to success. Perhaps you have a small budget, or knowledge but no budget, or a big budget but need guidance on how to allocate it wisely. Each human is equipped with a unique set of skills, weaknesses, tendencies, and preconceived notions – all contributing to the road ahead of you. To get to where you want to go, you need individualised help, not an article than assumes you have what you need.
Show me the money
There’s no way these articles could have estimated the cost of the seven steps and broken that down to suit your personal budget. Each step has to take into account your personal situation, including budget and cash flow.
What about skill levels?
It’s all good and well to tell someone they’ll get 2500 followers running Google Ads – but what if you’ve never created an advert? The article assumes you have the budget and cashflow and have the same skills as the writer.
How to tell when a seven-step article is peddling to you
- Click on steps: look for an advert on the screen – the article may have been written to make money off the ads.
- So much text: are you scrolling and scrolling? Do they keep using the same terms over and over? Do they have “sign up now” or other opt-in links everywhere?
- Feel like your ego is being stroked?: they want you to feel like a misunderstood victim who can shine given the perfect opportunity. Recognise when your ego is being stroked in order to make a sale.
- Do they speak to your fears?: are they planting concerns? They often target the sensation of struggling with emotive language.
- Recognise adjectives: emotive language is powerful. Look for adjectives to get you excited: thrilling, exhilarating, terrific, titillating.
- Are they asking many questions?: this is also a typical sales tool designed to disarm you.
How to succeed in business
Remain adaptable. Embracing change, even when it’s out of your hands, is one of the most valuable survival skills in business. When you’re thrown a curveball, learn to dance duck and weave. Seven steps leave out the bit where each step comes with its own backwards motion, side steps, forward leaps, and need to adapt.
Hayley Birtles-Eades, founder, beinc
