Yes, there can sometimes be a discrepancy between what successful people say they do and what they actually do. This phenomenon is not limited to successful individuals; it can occur in various aspects of life and among people from different backgrounds.
There are a few reasons why this discrepancy may exist:
Image management: Successful individuals often have a public image or brand to uphold. They may want to present themselves in a certain light to maintain their reputation or appeal to their audience. As a result, they might emphasize certain behaviors or habits that align with the image they wish to portray, even if they don't fully adhere to them.
Simplification and storytelling: When asked about their success, people tend to simplify their journey and present a clear narrative. They might leave out certain challenges, mistakes, or unglamorous aspects of their journey to make the story more coherent and inspiring.
Privacy and personal boundaries: Successful individuals might not want to share every detail of their lives, especially when it comes to personal or sensitive matters. As a result, they may selectively disclose certain information, leaving out specific actions or behaviors.
Evolving strategies: Success often involves trial and error, and what works for one person might not work for another. Successful individuals might have experimented with various approaches before finding what worked for them. In retrospect, they may talk about their current successful strategy, not mentioning the failed attempts along the way.
Time constraints: In interviews or public appearances, successful individuals may not have the time to delve into the intricacies of their daily routines or habits. As a result, they might highlight the most significant or impactful aspects while omitting the finer details.
Psychological biases: Memory recall and self-perception biases can influence how successful people recount their experiences. They might genuinely believe they do certain things consistently, even if their behavior is not as consistent as they perceive it to be.
It's essential to approach the narratives of successful people with a balanced perspective. While there is value in learning from their experiences and advice, it's also essential to recognize that nobody is perfect, and success often involves a mix of hard work, luck, and various factors unique to each individual. The key is to take inspiration from their journey while staying realistic about the complexities of achieving success.