Have you ever had one of those moments where something you thought was very difficult turned out to be, in reality, very simple? Sometimes, simplicity is actually a bit harder to deal with than complexity. Becoming the trusted authority is probably a bit simpler than you think. In fact, you already have the tools; you’ve probably just never put them to use before!
The trusted authority concept
The trusted authority concept has two things that differentiate it from how must people pursue success. The classic example of how people pursue success and set themselves up for failure can actually be seen in how people go to college. Some people pursue degrees that they hope will make them rich but which cover subjects that they have no interest in at all. Others may not want to go to college at all, but assume that they have to if they want to make money. Being the trusted authority means knowing what you really want, first and foremost, and developing it. This is the concept of following your core competence.
The second thing that being the trusted authority is about is serving others. You’re going to have to get out there and let people know that you really are the authority and that you’re not doing whatever it is you do just to make a buck. Imagine, in a world that’s defined by slick PR and endless marketing campaigns, something about being authentic! It might seem novel, but it’s actually the best way to be successful.
Working on Yourself
You will have to do some work on yourself to become the authority. It starts with realizing why you aren’t where you want to be and why you are where you are. In all honesty, there are most certainly some circumstances beyond your control that landed you where you are. There are probably quite a few things that you could have done differently to get yourself closer to your goal, however, and becoming the go-to-person in your market means taking the time to learn why you might be your own worst enemy, in some cases.
When you really learn to see what it is you have to offer, then you’ll understand why serving others is so important. It becomes more of a joy than actually making money and that, ironically, is more likely to make you wealthy than anything else.
Being the trusted authority takes some work, but you’re already on your way if you’re willing to commit to being authentic to yourself and being authentic with others. If you can really be yourself and engage yourself in what you do best, you’re already doing the work of becoming the trusted authority. With a bit of practice with marketing yourself and with positioning yourself as the trusted authority, you’ll find that you can have the life that you want and that you can enjoy what it means to be someone that people trust and someone that people see success in when they look at you.