Excellent article by Seth Godin about what it takes to succeed on the internet and everywhere:

The media wants overnight successes (so they have someone to tear down). Ignore them. Ignore the early adopter critics that never have enough to play with. Ignore your investors that want proven tactics and predictable instant results. Listen instead to your real customers, to your vision and make something for the long haul. Because that's how long it's going to take, guys.

Here's another thing: it's not just patience. It's hard work. One thing I've noticed following people on Twitter is that some people are just working All The Time. Most don't consider it "work". It's their love and they've parlayed it into a job or career, but they're working all the same. Their job gives their lives meaning and mission. In fact, it's likely that their work is their mission.

Lots of smart people have lots of smart ideas that never see the light of day because they never take the risk to work. And it's a daily grind, oftentimes, or can be. And sometimes, the work that you find important other people think is stupid or useless. Conversely, some throw away efforts surprise you because it's well-received. Go figure. Either way, if the work wasn't done and the risk taken, nothing would have been accomplished.

So go to work and hang in there. Success will follow.

Cross-posted at MelissaClouthier.com