We often hear how success changes people.

You know the story: someone we know is super cool, and then they find success or get a little power in their position and suddenly become a jerk.

It’s not true.

Success does not change us, it only magnifies what has always existed inside of us.

See, when we start out, we have zero equity. With zero equity comes zero influence. No one has to put up with us because they have nothing to lose by blowing us off and we usually have nothing to offer them that will improve their situation. Over time, our talent and creativity start to develop. We start to get a little better at what we do and people notice. As people notice, we start to have more opportunity. When we dominate our new opportunities we get more “successful”. Now, the same people who would pay us little attention desire to get all of our attention.

So how are we going to act?

We talk a ton about developing our creative gifts. We work hard to study and refine our skills. But how much time are we talking to make sure we are capable of handling any success that may come our way?

• Start by serving others every day. Find a way to serve others rather than being served by others.
• Remember what got you here. Then, repeat it every day. Don’t change the reason why you do what you’ve always done.
• Imagine what life is like in “their” shoes. Others’ opinions and perspective is based on the baggage they bring into our relationships, just like our perspective is based on our baggage.
• Accept the blame but give away the praise. It will keep us grounded and remind us how important it is to have other great people in our lives.
• Don’t read your press. It’s dangerous and when you start to believe it, it will kill you.
• Avoid the highs and lows. We’re never as good as our successful moments. But we’re also never as bad as our failures. Understand that life is going to bring us both. Our identity is not found in what we do but in who we are.
• Have someone who can stop you in your tracks. We all need one person who can be the voice of reason in our lives – the person who loves us enough to tell us the truth, even when we don’t want to hear it, that can stop us dead in our tracks.
• Never ask anyone to do something you would not do. Plain and simple.
• Be someone’s champion. Finding other talented and up-and-coming people helps us remember how we arrived. At some point, someone took a chance on us. Who are we willing to take a chance on?
• Remember who you are. You. Not your art. Not your song. Not your message. Not your gift or your talent. Who are you. The person your kids knows. That person your Mom calls on Saturdays…stay connected to that girl/guy.

And never forget…

Success does not change us, it only magnifies what has always existed inside of us.

How do you stay grounded?