A Wannabe and a Becoming at a marketing conference
At a marketing conference five years ago, in the late evening after the formal sessions had ended, there were two gatherings that just kind of happened.
In one corner of the hotel, a group of people came together. It was a largish group and a bit on the noisy side. There were the usual guys. Some in untucked dress shirts and others in garish t-shirts. There were little guys talking loud about this or that recent achievement, with a listener or two looking to escape.
They were drawn to this corner because of the handful of “big names” at the nucleus. If this group had a banner it would read “The Wannabes.”
Far away on the other side of the large hotel was another informal gathering. This one was smaller and quieter. If they had a banner it would read “The Becomings.”
The Wannabes are drawn to stories of sudden riches. Of brilliant product launches. Of overnight success. Of flashy cars and volleyball on the beach. On their banner would be a picture of the hare.
The Becomings tell stories of slow but steady. Of real human beings overcoming life’s everyday obstacles to become someone. On their banner we’d see a smiling, winking – and yes perspiring – tortoise.
The Wannabes look to their “big names” to know what to do. Their guru shows his latest trick and they all go off to copy his performance.
The Wannabe looks for shortcuts. The Becoming seeks mastery.
The Wannabe’s model is a plagiarist. The Becoming’s model is an apprentice.
So the Becoming seeks out the best mentors he can find. He works to understand principle, not just practice. He then implements what he learns, assimilates and before long, he’s the master.
The Wannabe is driven by fear. He’s scared, but he puts on a macho face. He fools only himself, mostly.
The Becoming is driven by a deep knowing that he was put in this world to make an impact.
The Wannabe has a sharp eye for quick tricks. Something he can just deploy and it’ll work. Push-button simple.
The Becoming has a psychological aversion to mindless immitation. The mere thought of it hurts his pride. What’s it all worth if he doesn’t add his own soul and spirit to his work?
The Wannabe looks down on the Becoming. ”You Becomings aren’t cool. You’re not on the inside with the Big Names like I am.” He still believes that flash equals cash and that money rubs off by association.
The Becoming doesn’t care. He looks at the Wannabes and knows that few will ever amount to anything. And the few who do will probably follow the Angry Bird Arc – up with a glorious squack and down with a colorful crash.
The Wannabe friendship is built on expedience.
The Becoming friendship is built on mutual respect. It’s a brotherhood of two fellows couragiously covering for each other in one of life’s many battles.
The Wannabe leader, the “Big Name,” holds a secret disdain for his followers.
The Becoming leader has a deep respect for his. Often, he sees and cultivates a power in his apprentice that the apprentice didn’t know was there.
The Wannabe wants to be comfortable and taken care of.
The Becoming wants more and more responsibility.
The Wannabe wants to arrive already.
The Becoming wants to master the journey.
It’s five years on. What stories are the members of each group telling today?
I’m proud that here in The Alchemist Entrepreneur’s Oasis we are a certified haven for Becomings.
We’re like a five-star restaurant with a plain facade and a simple sign. Those in the know come by and come in. The others walk by without a second glance.
—
If you liked this, your friends on Facebook and Twitter will like it too. So will you please share it with them?
Dov Gordon
Good one Dov
Thank you, Dennis. I hope all is well down there.
Dov
Hi Dov,
This is the best piece I’ve read from you.
Brendan
Why, thank you very much. I appreciate you saying so, Bren.
Dov
Dov, this is a great piece of writing…and also a good reminder and truth about life. Well said.
This is such a great article, Dov and I’ve blogged about it
Thank you
Great blog, Dov. Too many so called “Marketers” give out very unrealistic messages to people. It’s nice to see that you have a grounded realistic approach.
This is such a great article, there is hardly more to say. Too many people in this world are looking for the quick fix, “to be comfortable” as you so clearly put it. But the truth is that if you are bringing something of value to the world, something that will make lasting change not only in your life but in the lives of those you touch, it will take work. More than that, it will take a belief in what you are doing, determination, and a will that cannot be defeated. I truly believe a “Becoming” is always one. Even when they reach success, they continue to learn, grow, improve, and give back as you do.
very cool, very becoming – very true!
Well said, Dov. We need more stories like this one. Keep building your marketing army
We can learn from everyone, the Wannabe and the Becoming. My guess is most people are a bit of both.
Generally I have an aversion to “boxing” people but you needed it here to make the point.
Where did that word come from “Becoming” ?
I made it up.
Very astute post Dov. Picking up on Guy’s observation above, I’d say that Becoming’s probably start as wannabe. The wannabe’s that make it are the ones that realise that to get what they “wannabe” they need to become a “becoming”.
I agree with you and with Guy. I find that many people feel a nagging irritation with the ‘guru culture’ but have a hard time articulating it. If they could, they’d make better decisions.
This post draws a sharp contrast to help people articulate what’s been nagging at them. It’s a picture of two stereotypes, not an attack on any individual.
Thanks for your comment,
Dov
Very thoughtful Dov.
This holds true in all parts of life.
Everybody wants it now.
Nobody is willing to put in the time, effort, or money.
The few that do, and stick with it, achieve their goals.
Thanks for your insight :0)
Very true, not many will spend the hours to master anything these days. They possess way too many distractions or excuses
Well said. I feel better. My results-oriented side has been really hard on my tortoisey p.r.o.c.e.s.s. lately. There’s more information coming at me in my inbox in a day than my grandparents saw in a lifetime. And there are only so many claims of “6 figures no problem” that my turtle can handle with a smile.
This article was so helpful for me to see where I am a wannabe and where I am a becoming. I will keep a look-out for that from now on. I can see how sticking to being a becoming is more beneficial and more dependable.
Thank you for more great insights.
I’m terribly interested in that wannabe leader. How in the world did he get a following in the first place? If I’m a very new wannabe and don’t even know it, is he easy to recognize so I can get out of there? Maybe the litmus test is whether or not she insists on mastery instead of shiny buttons. Thanks for the insight, Dov.