"What did they do to get there?"

I had a discussion the other day with my husband about a young guy, fresh out of college, who wants to be a music arranger. (Let's call him Bob.) As he and I talked, we came to a realization that both time and experience has revealed to us.  We want to share with Bob our realization that the one crucial question he needs to ask is "What did they do to get there?"

My husband and I mused about what it was like when we were 10 years younger and just as naive and eager as Bob. A time when we would see others success and pine over our desire to reach that same level of success.  It wasn't until a few years later that we realized that success isn't something that happens overnight.  Success must be cultivated and carefully crafted.  It takes work and most of all time.  The "work" that you do to become successful can be found in answering the question: "What did they do to get there?"  

Whatever field of study or career trajectory you may be on, find someone with whom you inspire to become and discover what they did to achieve their level of success.  Everyone's path is different, but a good place to start is with someone who has already been there.  And one day, you will be that person with whom someone will look up to and follow in your footsteps on the path to success.