Success Advice
How It Started VS How It’s Going: 5 Inspiring Success Stories
How it started vs. how it’s going; The idea has been trending since September 2020. We’ve seen thousands of amazing stories about career breakthroughs, wonderful relationships, and how dreams come true. It always takes a great deal of hard work, some ups and downs, disappointments, hardships, and even desperation between the before and after shots.
But seeing what people started from in contrast with their achievements is incredibly inspiring! The message of every story is that it’s definitely worth trying. We’ll tell you about 5 famous people whose examples prove that everything is possible even if you start from scratch.
1. David Bowie
How It Started – One of the most gifted, outstanding, and bizarre musicians in history was making unsuccessful attempts to gain popularity for about 7 years. David was 16 years old when he told his parents that he wanted to be a pop star… but his mother got him a job as an electrician assistant. Bowie participated in five bands, released 6 singles and one album. But none of his pieces were commercially successful. Managers weren’t interested in working with him. There was a pretty long series of failures from 1962 till 1969. But he kept trying.
How It Ended – In 1969 an album that included the song “Space Oddity” was released. This song instantly skyrocketed David Bowie’s career. Since then, no one doubted his talent anymore. Bowie created 27 albums, most of which have obtained cult status in the UK and all over the globe. He became one of the best-selling musicians worldwide. His last album called “Black Star” (2016) was a genuine swan song and his death two days later made people burst into tears.
2. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
How It Started – Today’s Belarusian national leader has never desired to become president. It was an ambition of her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky. She used to be an English teacher, an interpreter, a housewife, and a mother of two. But when Sergei was imprisoned without a reason, Sviatlana decided to run for the presidency instead of him.
Then events developed rapidly. From several independent and promising applicants, only she was registered as a candidate. She united with the offices of high-potential politicians and had lots of rallies. She gained wide support, but the elections on August 9th, 2020 were totally rigged. The official results gave her 10,12% votes but there was serious proof that Tsikhanouskaya won the presidential election of the Republic of Belarus.
Thereafter the massive protests all over the country began. Lukashenko chose to suppress them extremely violently. Then authorities threatened Sviatlana and forced her to leave Belarus. She was overwhelmed and frightened by this blackmail and left for neighboring Lithuania.
How It’s Going – The story could have ended at this point but she pulled herself together. Tsikhanouskaya confirmed her commitment to fulfilling the struggle against the dictatorship, to release all political prisoners, investigate all crimes of the regime, and hold the new elections. She’s met with Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and numerous other leaders of the EU. She made reports for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the United Nations Security Council.
Internationally, she’s recognized as an official representative of the interests of Belarusians. In Belarus, she’s regarded as the president-elect. Recently Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appeared in the Bloomberg 50 amongst the most influential and deserving people of 2020.
3. Elon Musk
How It Started – Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. Elon Musk was absolutely unpopular at school. As an odd and introverted guy, he was constantly suffering from bullying. Once, he even ended up in the hospital after his peers pushed him down the stairs.
He was definitely a gifted boy. By the age of 10, he was keen on computing. At the age of 12, he created a video game and sold the code for $500. He attended different universities while working at a farm and lumber-mill.
After a couple of internships in the Silicon Valley, Elon applied for a job at Netscape but didn’t even receive an answer. In 1995 he decided to launch an Internet startup. At that time Musk couldn’t even afford to rent a flat. He was coding at night and slept in their small office.
How It’s Going – Seven years later he made his first $100 million fortune. In 2012 he appeared on Forbes’s Billionaires List. And now Musk alternates with Jeff Bezos for the first place on Bloomberg’s list of richest people in the world. His net worth is estimated at $173.2 billion. Meanwhile, Elon states that he has little interest in the material side of wealth.
Instead, he prefers to develop his incredible projects. SpaceX is making breakthroughs on a regular basis, Tesla became the world’s most valuable car manufacturer in 2020, Neuralink has a perspective to find high-tech salvation from heavy diseases. And how many beautiful concepts are still in his head!
4. Madeline Stuart
How It Started – Madeline was born with Down syndrome and heart disease which was surgically cured right after her birth. Doctors warned her mom, Rosanne, that Madeline would have a tough life. Rosanne didn’t listen to them and started to do her best so that her daughter lived life to the fullest.
Madeline was 18 years old when she visited a fashion show. She was thrilled, so she said to Rosanne: “Mum me model”. Rosanne fully supported her in this aspiration. For this dream, Madeline eventually lost 20 kg and attended her first professional photoshoot. Then she posted the before and after photo on Facebook.
How It’s Going – Now 24-year-old Madeline is the first professional model with Down syndrome in the world. That photo on Facebook gave her 100,000 followers in a single day! She got a modeling contract in 2015 and appeared on New York, Paris, and London Fashion Weeks, as well as many more catwalks. Today she has about 700 000 followers on Facebook, contracts with sportswear and bag brands, and publications in Australian Vogue.
5. Oprah Winfrey
How It Started – Oprah was born in an extremely poor family. Her mother was an unmarried teenager who worked as a housemaid. As a child, Oprah often wore dresses made of potato sacks. She was often harassed by her relatives, so at the age of 13, she left home. At 14, she became pregnant, but her son died in babyhood.
Thankfully, later on, her father put attention to Oprah’s education. She was studying and simultaneously working on the radio. By 19, she was already a co-host for the local news. Her emotional and extemporaneous style prompted her the direction to follow.
How It’s Going – The Oprah Winfrey Show with its confessional interviews had the highest rate in its genre in history. It was broadcasted for 25 years till 2011. Now Oprah is making her new show called The Oprah Conversation on Apple TV.
She’s not only made a fortune but also became the richest African American in the 20th century. Her vision and endorsement are tremendously powerful in varied fields, influencing book sales, public opinion, and even votes on presidential elections. This phenomenon was called “the Oprah Effect”.
Final Word
Having talent and uniqueness means much but not enough to succeed. All these incredible stories showcase that everybody needs loads of perseverance, productivity, self-belief, and riskiness. And a bit of luck, certainly! But the likelihood of luck rises as you keep trying over and over. So why not go for it?
Success Advice
11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age
Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.
In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)
Change Your Mindset
The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers
Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.
Why Daily Rituals Matter
Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)
Did You Know
How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub
Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.
Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution. (more…)
Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.
Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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