From: alexhormozi
The concept of “overnight success” often brings a swift and significant shift in how others perceive an individual, moving from supportive encouragement to, at times, resentment [00:01:00]. This dynamic highlights a common sentiment: people wish others well, but only to a certain extent—specifically, as long as that success does not surpass their own [00:01:00].
The Shifting Perception of Success
A prime example of this phenomenon is seen in the story of a business guru who initially slept in the gym where he personal trained [00:00:00]. His trainees expressed admiration and hopes for his future success [00:00:06]. However, once he achieved financial success, owned the gym, and took on the role of manager, their attitude shifted to questioning his authority, asking, “Oh, you’re the boss now, huh?” [00:00:12].
This pattern is also observed in public figures like Sam Sulek, who experienced an “almost overnight” explosion in popularity [00:00:32]. Initially, supporters likely wished him success on YouTube or in becoming a professional bodybuilder [00:00:37]. Yet, once he started achieving those goals and even more, a similar change in perception among those in his world likely occurred [00:00:41].
From Underdog to “The Man”
The experience of living through this shift can be profoundly difficult [00:00:46]. To process it, one individual wrote an essay titled “Everyone believes in the American dream until it comes true” [00:00:47]. This essay explored the critical point at which someone transitions from being the underdog to becoming “the man” [00:00:55].
“Everyone wants you to do well as long as it’s not better than you” [00:00:58].
This statement encapsulates the core sentiment, suggesting that support often wanes when one’s success surpasses the perceived status or achievements of others [00:01:00].