It’s fair to say that not everyone uses the same metrics to measure success. Often defined by superficial things like how expensive someone’s car is, affluence and personal income are probably the most common measurement tool. Some people desire a particular job title or position within an organization and don't feel successful until they’ve reached the top of whatever ladder they’re climbing. Others define success as simply being content in their everyday life.

For the sake of this discussion, let’s consider a musician or band who can sell out large music venues, with fans willing to wait hours after a show with the hopes of meeting them, as successful.

Having worked for several people who have achieved this level of success, I’ve found work ethic to be a common through line. The life of a famous musician appears glamorous when we see them performing at the Grammys or walking a red carpet. But I assure you they're the hardest working people in any room they're in. They battle self-doubt and imposter syndrome like the rest of us, but this only fuels their fire to work harder.

Andrew McMahon, with whom I've done a handful of tours, is an outstanding live performer unafraid to get his hands dirty. I’ve witnessed him, moments before a performance, walk on stage and crawl under his piano like a mechanic under a vehicle to help troubleshoot a problem. And when he does take the stage, he electrifies the crowd in a way that only someone who believes in what they have to offer is capable of. But he develops that self-confidence and earns the accolades by rehearsing tirelessly until he and his band have dialed the show to perfection.

There is the argument that some musicians have had success handed to them and, therefore, didn't earn it. From my experience, however, this does not hold up. Years ago, I did a tour with Fifth Harmony, a group of female singers who met on the television show X Factor. The argument in a situation like this is that because someone, in this case, the show’s creator Simon Cowell, signed them to a record deal after appearing on a television show, they never had to work for their success. To be fair, they never paid their dues by touring the country in a fifteen-passenger van. Their path was indeed different than the typical garage band. But these young ladies outworked everyone around them.

They rehearsed their performance and perfected choreography for weeks leading up to the tour. Once on the road, they woke up well before sunrise, working fourteen-hour days. Their relentless daily schedule included a meet & greet where they posed for photos with hundreds of fans. Days without a scheduled performance involved radio station visits and other promotional obligations. They were, without a doubt, the hardest working people in any room they stepped into and earned every bit of success they experienced.

Another group to consider, who I have not worked with, is Blackpink. I know little about the group, but I can appreciate the hard work and respect the sacrifices made by each of them. Every member has a unique story of how they got into the group; I’ll use the example of Lisa. She was raised in Thailand but moved to South Korea in her early teens, where she spent the next five years training to be a performer. Let that sink in. At fourteen, she left her family behind, moved to a country where she didn't speak the language, and spent five years perfecting her craft. Say what you will about Blackpink or their music. It’s tough to name a single person willing to sacrifice that much to pursue a dream. I know I’m not, and I don’t know anyone who is.

We read blogs and books, listen to podcasts, and watch television shows, seeking keys to success. But more often than not, we just need to double down and work harder. Because even more than natural born talent, hard work, and passion will get us where we want to be. So, if someone is doing what you aspire to, rather than waste time with jealousy or envy, ask yourself what they're doing that you're not. Chances are, they're simply working harder.