There’s No Shortcut To Success

People always try to find a shortcut. The quick fix. The magic pill to achieve all sorts of things. From getting to a destination, building things, losing weight, making more money, having a great relationship, and achieving success, people have sought out all manner of crazy gimmicks to get there with little or no sweat, tears, or hard work.

So, here is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth:

 

If you want to lose weight, it takes hard work. You’ll need to exercise regularly, build muscle, and stop eating processed foods. It’s hard to make breakfast and lunch instead of stopping at a fast-food place or restaurant. It’s hard to leave the couch and go to the gym five nights a week. Weight loss pills are dangerous, and so is surgery. So, we know that the only real and healthy way to lose weight is through time and hard work. I know this from experience.

 

If you want to build a house, you’ll need a good, firm foundation, accurate measurements, quality materials, and skilled assembly. Cut any corners, and it won’t last. Experience has taught us this, but many people still try to get around reality.

 

If you want a quality relationship, you can’t buy it. Sure, you might get a short way on charm and gifts, but sooner or later, you’ll need to put in the hard work a relationship requires, or it’s doomed. Yes, it’s hard, but many people will tell you that it’s all worth the extra effort. These people have experience.

 

Experience is what you want when you look for a mentor. And everyone should have at least one. After all, if you want to pass through a minefield, you will want to step where a successful traveler has stepped. Taking your success-walk with a mentor is more fun too. It’s tough rolling around in your own head every day. It’s much more fun to meet or speak with your mentor at least once a week. Find out what they’re doing, ask for advice, and pattern your activity after their past successful activity. 

 

One of the things I’ve learned working at Empower Brokerage is that the people who’ve been here a while have some things in common.

 

They’re Genuine – They generally say what they mean and mean what they say. There’s little sugar-coating the truth, and that’s important when you want to trade the feeling of success with actual success. Nothing will make you truly feel successful as much as a healthy and growing business. And the people at Empower Brokerage are singular in their mission to help others achieve that success. 

 

They Work Hard – I’ve never seen so many people work so hard in one place. There’s no spare time to goof off here. It’s fairly constant work. Taking phone calls, giving advice, preparing marketing materials, writing content, editing videos, preparing quotes, contracting, processing applications, generating and distributing leads, and on and on and on. There’s a sense of accomplishment that permeates the office. It becomes plain to see who’s doing the work, who’s acting like they’re working, and who’s not working much at all. Only those who do the work end up staying here because honest workers only like to be around other honest workers.

 

They’re Always Eager To Help – I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone here brush off an agent’s plea for help. In addition, I always notice when my co-workers offer to help without being asked. And that happens every day. It’s a team atmosphere, and most people here are cross-trained.

 

It’s no wonder that Empower Brokerage continues to grow and expand. These are some fundamental qualities for success!

 

You Can Be Genuine – You can tell your clients what you’re going to do and then ensure you do it. You can tell them the truth, even if they won’t like it. You can put your clients first and genuinely care about their success.

 

You Can Work Hard – Of course, you need to work smart. That’s a never-ending process to keep working smarter. But it must be accompanied by hard work. Get up early, develop a routine, make the calls you don’t want to make, and do the activities you don’t want to do. Don’t lie to yourself about your work effort. Look in the mirror and quietly tell yourself the truth about your effort level. Admit to yourself areas where you need improvement. Do what others are unable or unwilling to do…to have what others don’t have.

 

You Can Be Eager To Help Others – To help others, you need to care about them. I believe we are all part of the same family. Try to care about people more, even if you don’t particularly like them. What would you do if you saw them starving? Feed them. What would you do if you saw them dying of thirst? Give them a drink. What would you do if you saw them living with a spouse and children, and they didn’t have life insurance, paid too much for their health insurance, or were struggling to figure out the best way to save for retirement? Help them with a passion. Be eager!

 

Success leaves clues – Nearly every credible study on long-term achievement points back to the same fundamentals: consistency, discipline, and guidance from those who’ve already done the work. Research consistently shows that individuals who commit to intentional practice, long-term goal setting, and accountability outperform those who rely on talent alone or short-term motivation.

 

Mentorship plays a critical role in long-term success. Studies have found that individuals with mentors are more confident in their decision-making, advance faster in their careers, and report higher overall job satisfaction. Having a mentor can help you avoid common pitfalls, challenge your thinking, and keep you focused when motivation fades. It’s not a shortcut—it’s a smarter path built on experience.

 

The same principle applies to business growth. Strong businesses aren’t built overnight; they are the result of daily routines repeated over time. Actively showing up, following proven systems, and committing to continuous improvement create momentum that compounds. This is especially true in relationship-driven industries like insurance, where trust, reliability, and long-term client care can determine success far more than exaggerated tactics or quick wins.

 

In a world obsessed with overnight success stories, it’s easy to forget that most “wins” take time and patience. When you commit to doing the work, learning from experienced professionals, and serving others with honesty, success becomes not just possible—but inevitable. There is no shortcut, but there is a clear path, and it’s paved with effort, patience, and purpose.

 

Once you’ve decided to incorporate these things into your life, I’d love to hear about your progress.