If you are into your positivity stuff like myself, you will have seen the saying “you have the same hours in the day as Beyonce” at some point. Do you know what? It’s a load of rubbish, it doesn’t really inspire anyone, and I know why. Buckle your seatbelts as we dive into why you will never become Beyonce, no matter how many hours in the day there are.
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Beyonce started young
Beyonce’s success is the result of a lifelong passion for singing. She started in the school choir, won talent shows, and was signed at an early age. She was only 16 when she signed her first record contract in 1997. Most people who are successful get their foot in the door at an early age. They sing in their school or church choir, they act in the school play, they spend their childhood learning new skills instead of sitting glued to the TV. They have literally thousands of hours of practice under their belts which help to shape their careers. Beyonce even attended a performing arts high school, what were you doing as a teenager?
There was no internet
How much time do you waste every day online? Probably a lot more than you realise. Social media is designed to suck you in and keep you there for hours. It’s not a bad thing in a way if you are learning something or catching up with people. But how often do you end up watching a drama unfold on someones update? Do you know what the internet was like in 1998? It barely existed. Nobody used it. It really sucked. So Beyonce did not waste her time scrolling through Twitter, picking fights with people. She was too busy working at her craft and business plan for world domination.
Her family supported her
Beyonce’s biggest fans are her family, and they have probably been one of the big reasons for her success. When your family and loved ones are behind what you are doing, it gives you real confidence that you will succeed. But her family were more than supportive, her dad managed Destiny’s Child for years and helped them to get their first Grammy Award. The most that my dad has ever helped me with is my Brownie badges, and they don’t mean much in a job interview.
There was nobody like her
In the 90’s, black music was dominated by men who rapped about women getting penises shoved everywhere. Honestly, go listen to some early 90’s rap and get back to me. Beyonce and the girls from Destiny’s Child provided representation for black women everywhere when it was needed. They didn’t need to swear and put men down to get their message of female empowerment across which transcended race and religion. Beyonce was launched into the world when the likes of Britney and Christina were dominating the charts, and provided a much-needed change to the music scene.
She has help
Every step of the way, there have been people there to help her. That’s not a bad thing, everyone needs a bit of help. But now, as a working mum, she has extra help. Let’s be honest, Beyonce made her money when she was young, so she can afford to put her feet up for a few months after having her babies and not worry about the bills. I will probably be in labour and still have to be logged on to the internet to make sure that the rent gets paid. And a lot of women are in the same boat as me, they simply can’t afford to take time off work. Beyonce probably has a nanny and private consultants to help with the child rearing when she goes back to work. Again, a lot of women can’t afford this type of help, so we make do with the kids swinging around us while we try to work after only a few hours sleep.
As much as I would love to be as successful as Beyonce, it probably won’t happen any time soon, and that is ok. Beyonce has been doing this for a long time and put a lot of hours into her career. If you put as many hours into your passion, you might make something of it. And maybe after 20 years of writing and blogging, I might hit the rich list with a fortune of $350 million too.
Very insightful. A different aspect into the qualms of us not being similar to celebs and other successful people. Thanks for the wonderful read.
Thanks for the kind comment 🙂 us normal people are so different from celebrities and successful people and there is nothing wrong with that. We all matter 🙂
I guess I have been living under a rock because I never heard of that saying but I actually do agree with you nobody should listen to it.
I’ve been seeing it a lot recently and it drives me nuts! It’s always used as a way to shame women for “not trying hard enough”. I think we have enough on our plates without comparing ourselves to superstars.
She is a great role model of all time I will say. Because I like her positivity.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love Beyonce and think she is a great role model, but I keep seeing that quote, normally as a way to shame women for not being good enough.
The only way it would work for us is if we all have the exact same resources as her, and it still wouldn’t be the same. You mentioned Beyonce attending a performing arts high school. However, a lot of people forget she never even graduated high school. Her success was always a priority of hers and her family.
Exactly! She has singing and performing her whole life. I hate when people use that saying as a way to justify shaming others. We might have the same hours in the day as Beyonce but she has a 15-year head start on all of us too.
The key is she had people supporting her. If you’re trying to do things on your own with limited resources and support it’s tough to match her results.
Yep! That is why the saying is annoying me so much. Women are being shamed because they can’t achieve Beyonce greatness within 24 hours.
So true! Rich people always have help so when they talk about being tired, I’m not as sympathetic. At least they can afford maids and such!
hahaha OMG!! This is so freaking true! I literally have always said that I’ve probably be in labor and still have to go to work the next day. I know the struggle girl. Working women are the real role model!! Hard work does pay off, but it still hard work and like you said no extra help and always with the worries about the bills.XOCandace http://www.thebeautybeau.com
I know it’s funny, but it is true too! I was in labour with my last baby and was still online working 🙂 if it wasn’t for the midwife interrupting me every five minutes, I would have gotten loads done in those 8 hours 😀
Thank god I’ve never heard that saying in person Haha. If only everyone would have the money and resources that Beyonce has kmsl.
I’ve had a lot of hun-bots telling me that recently and it is driving me up the wall! I keep telling them that even the Queen has to poop and Beyonce has a lot more resources than me but it is falling on deaf ears with them 🙂
I wish I had the help the celebrities get. Very interesting and entertaining read.
This is such an insightful post. Every person is different. Everyone has their own struggles, wins and losses. We also have different ways to cope with everything.
And not only does she have all of those things, but she has MONEY too! While it IS important to take advantage of any time you have to work on what you’re passion about LIKE Beyonce, you have to understand just how much of a leg up she has. It’s definitely something to aspire to, but as someone who has a desk job that keeps me away from my side hustle from 8-5 p.m., I don’t actually have the same hours in the day that Queen Bey has. But I will soon!
And here is another thing. What would this world be like if everyone was Beyonce? We need people with varying ambitions, drive, and dreams. People should follow their own road and aspirations and don’t worry about comparing themselves to anyone else.
Wow, I had not heard that saying! However, I completely agree with your sentiments here!! We definitely do not have the “same hours in a day” !!!
I have never ever heard anyone say this, who ever does is a joke. As you said she has help in abundance.
I have never heard of this concept before. Just goes to show when you pick a niche and a team of people get behind you much is possible. But not on your own, not without hard work, and not with scattered energy.
Ha ha! So true. I have a mug that says, what would Beyonce do? and I think – have someone to make her coffee for her.
Thank you for this post! I need something like this.
Thanks for sharing. I agree that she had opportunities other people didn’t and once she got to certain point it takes a different kind of effort to get where she is at.
I have heard of this saying and thought the same as you, she has help and we don’t so its totally different
Help does matter on your path to success. But one has to be wise enough to use the help wisely and realise the dreams. Good knowing more about Beyonce.
Have I been living under a rock? I had no clue ! Thanks for sharing.
Interesting thoughts here, actually, I really hadn’t thought of it from that perspective! Thanks for sharing!
I vaguely remember seeing this quote show up in my Facebook timeline awhile back. I scrolled right on by it and did not even take time to think about it because, like you said, she had a lot of help and many of us do not have that luxury.