In the beginning no one listens to you, you’re a nobody, a single voice in the midst of unfathomable noise.
Time goes on and you say something worth hearing, you have the right promotion, and you have just enough luck on your side.
More people listen.
The stakes get higher.
This is the nature of everything in business and media. It’s why underdogs are loved and the champions rarely repeat.
The underdogs are fearless, they fight tooth and nail, playing with nothing to lose. The champions are old news, defensive and reactive instead of aggressive and proactive.
In the beginning there is nothing to lose. But as you keep playing the game, you realize all that you’ve acquired. You look at all of your trophies, accolades, and audiences.
The key to continually winning is to always play as if you’re the underdog. To always be fearless and say what needs to be said.
The more attention that is on you, the more likely you are to retreat, and play cautiously. Maybe you shouldn’t.