What Lil’ Wayne and Mumford & Sons have in common.

When you see someone successful–in music, business, family, relationships or any other facet of life–it’s easy to assume they’ve got a secret to their success. Some complicated, detailed formula that got them where they are.

But, the truth is, the secret of success is rarely a secret, and it’s usually really simple.

Or at least it was for Lil’ Wayne and Mumford & Sons.

In an article in the July 2011 issue of GQ, writer Will Welch asked Brian “Birdman” Williams the secret of his success. Birdman is a father figure to Lil’ Wayne and the godfather of the Young Money Cash Money Billionaires. Never heard of him?

That’s fine with him. Forbes magazine listed him as the fourth most successful force in hip hop behind only Diddy, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre. He’s doing fine even if he isn’t that well known.

At the end of the article, the interviewer throws out a big question. He asks Birdman why “his rivals from the 1990s—Ruff Ryders, No Limit—have slipped while he keeps signing talent like Drake and Nicki Minaj.”

Birdman’s response is telling:

“I ask myself that all the time, cuz it keeps me grounded. They just got lazy. We ain’t never get lazy.”

How, in an industry that chews people up, has Birdman spent close to two decades building an empire? How does Lil’ Wayne keep putting out dozens and dozens of songs?

They didn’t get lazy. Which is exactly what the Mumford & Sons said about their unexpected rise to stardom.

And now, you know the secret to success isn’t really a secret.

Want to write a book? Don’t get lazy.

Want to record an album? Don’t get lazy.

Want to start a mission that changes the world? Don’t get lazy.

Want to be a great husband or wife or mother or father? Don’t get lazy.

There it is. The secret to success. I’ve written about it a few times, and I’m going to keep repeating it until it sinks in for both of us.

Question:
What’s something you need to be working on that you’ve been avoiding?