One of the most important things you will ever learn is that you don’t have an objective grip of reality.

I know this is a weird statement. Let me explain.

We perceive ourselves as logical, rational beings. We have deluded ourselves into believing we see things as they are. We assume we can see ourselves and everyone else clearly. We trust that our perceptions about our level of talent, and other people’s talent, are pretty much on target.

But that’s almost never the case. We tend to underestimate our own potential, while overestimating everyone else’s. In other words, we think everyone else deserves success while we don’t.

Not everyone sees the world this way, but most writers do. When we see other people succeed, we believe they deserved it more or are probably more talented than we are. But the reality is that they probably just worked harder, had better connections, or were more creative with their marketing.

So, the question is: Why not you? Why shouldn’t you also get to experience success? Is there any reason you shouldn’t be just as successful as the next person?

They are no more deserving than you are. In fact, none of us really deserves anything in this life. We all start with nothing, and we will exit this life not being able to carry anything with us into the next realm.

Success in your writing doesn’t have anything to do with what anyone deserves or doesn’t deserve. Success comes as a result of actions you take consistently over time.

Yes, some people are more connected, some have more resources, and so forth. But all that is irrelevant because you have the same opportunities.

So don’t ask, “Why them?” Instead, ask “Why not me?” Success doesn’t come to those who deserve it. It comes to those who work for it.

Today’s Challenge: Do you believe you deserve to be just as successful as the next person? If not, what’s keeping you from that belief?