Success Isn't About Talent; It's A Numbers Game
The Mogul Message Newsletter 30 June: I know that sounds controversial, but hear me out.
Hi there!
How is your weekend going?
It’s start of summer, my favorite time of the year.
For this week’s newsletter, I’ll be focusing on doing the reps.
Winning at anything you do takes a lot of tries.
That’s cold hard truth of the matter.
Afterward, I’ll be sharing some good Substack finds.
Enjoy!
To get good at anything, you must do it a lot - a real lot.
I’m thinking now of Michael Jordan, Taylor Swift, and others.
You think Michael Jordan could slam dunk on the first try? Or, Taylor being able to sing so well after the first year?
Now, I want you to picture your favorite founder or creator? Eve Arnold? Tim Ferris? Alex H? We all love their work.
So what do they all have in common?
Each and every one of them practice relentlessly.
According to the 10,000-hour rule from Gladwell, it takes thousands of hours of practice to master a skill.
Apart from practice, getting seen online also takes repetition and numbers.
Whether it's making sales calls, writing, or coding, repetition is key. The more you do something, the better you get at it as will the reception from others.
So, let’s see why the path to success is all about playing the numbers game and how you can use this to your advantage.
Success online (or with anything) is all about playing the numbers game.
I’ve seen creators on X, like Boysie, who skyrocketed their engagement by interacting 300 times a day. It wasn’t magic—it was consistency.
Then there’s the writer, Lea Bardot, who committed to publishing daily from the start.
And now, their audiences grow exponentially, and their writing has improved immensely.
Let’s not forget my buddy, a coder, who practically lived at their keyboard. Coding 24/7 for months. His relentless effort led to the creation of a groundbreaking app.
These examples show that online success isn’t about sporadic bursts of effort but about consistent, daily actions.
Reality is peeps, the more you do, the more you learn, and the more you earn.
And, that sounds to me the closer you get to your goals.
It’s all about the numbers.
When I learned about numbers
It all began with my first 'startup,' back in 1994.
I started a media/PR company called Silver Arrow Productions.
When I started, I had no clients, no staff and was very thin on the experience. I had barely graduated and just resigned from an office job I hated.
For a month, I hit the streets, knocking on doors of potential clients every single day. I’d leave my portfolio and business card and follow up with a call.
I can say it was exhausting and often discouraging, but I kept going.
Finally, after countless rejections and no responses (it was close to 80), I landed my first gig.
That first success wasn’t luck—it was the result of relentless effort and playing the numbers game.
By putting myself out there repeatedly, getting sore feet, I increased my chances of success.
Moreover, I learnt that persistence and volume are key to breaking through, especially when starting from scratch.
Believe me, the numbers game works if you’re willing to play it.
What are the common numbers game obstacles?"It’s all in your head."
I know that might sound controversial, but it’s true, obstacles are rarely physical but mental in nature.
One major obstacle for me at the start was the fear of failure. When I was afraid to fail, I never took the necessary risks to go forward.
Next is perfectionism—the idea that everything must be perfect before you start. You know the drill like your product must be ‘perfect’ before launch. The perfect mindset is a trap and will keep you stuck in planning mode forever.
Then there’s the issue of impatience. Success takes time, and if you expect instant results, you’ll give up too soon.
Lastly, if you don’t believe in your ability to succeed, you’ll sabotage your efforts before you even begin.
How can you overcome your mental barriers to success?
Ok, overcoming mindset roadblocks ain’t easy but it is crucial for playing the numbers game effectively, here’s how:
Craft your brand story: My father used to say, “Dress the part,” and boy how right he was. Get your collateral and content ready! Prepare your story in a way that dresses you for success. Customers most of the time run away from naked bodies.
Commit to learning: Invest time in expanding your knowledge. There will always be gaps in our knowledge, that’s a given. Whether it’s through online courses, books, or seminars, staying informed keeps you ahead of the curve and boosts your confidence.
Build good habits: Establish daily success routines. Small, consistent actions, even 1% ones, add up over time and create momentum. Whether it’s writing every morning or reaching out to potential clients, habits build success.
Find a mentor: In my first startup my mentor was a lady called Maude. What a godsend, she was already successful in my field and gave me valuable insights, feedback, and encouragement, helping me stay motivated and gunning for the prize.
Remember, mastering the numbers game isn’t just about hard work; it’s about working smart and staying resilient.
Wrapping up
"Luck has nothing to do with success."
Luck is just persistence and strategy.
I was lucky to learn that actions, taken consistently, lead to growth.
Don’t get discouraged by setbacks; each one is a step toward your goal.
Embrace your journey, and remember, it’s not about where you start, but how persistently and often you play the game.
It’s all in the numbers!
Some useful posts I read during the week.
Here are some new posts from others that I’m sure you’ll like:
On solopreneurship
The truth about building an online business: it's f*cking hard from
To write faster and better, embrace your nature from
On startups
Other cool things
A kiwi as a birthday gift from
(This is a must read)
Thank you for reading!
Until next time, take care and stay well.
And, have a great rest of the weekend!
Got any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Share your experience in the comments.
Yes and yes and yes to this article Os! For me it's comiting to habits but also finding your right place. I've spend a year on LI feeling miserable and everything was draining my energy. I moved to Medium and then to Substack and finally found my online place!
Thank you for the mention.
Talent helps. But it's just the starting point.
Did you read "Talent is overrated?" It's the bible of this message.