The #U2 Approach to Success (And How to Replicate it in 4 Steps)

Four teenage boys gather in a crowded kitchen with their instruments.

They can barely play said instruments. In fact, the only thing they successfully manage to make is a whole bunch of noise.

And the singer? Yikes! He sounds like a cat crying from being stepped on…repeatedly.

That was 1976. Fast forward more than 30 years later and you now have a band who is arguably the biggest in the world. That band of course is U2.

How did it happen? And how can you use the same foundation to become the biggest whatever it is you want?

Let’s take a look shall we?

4 steps to becoming the biggest whatever you want

The way I see it, no matter what your field the foundational elements to success are the same. Let’s see what the boys from Dublin can show us.

1. Be an artist. I’ve voiced my feelings on what it means to be an artist before. To me U2 personify this idea of the practitioner. They’re constantly looking for ways to become better at what they do. You too should always look to improve your art.

“For U2 every night has to be the best night. And if it isn’t there has to be a reason.” – Bono

“We couldn’t play other people’s songs so we had to create our own…We have managed to turn weakness into strength. We may not be the most musically accomplished band in the history of rock and roll but I think we are amongst the most original.” – The Edge

2. Have a belief. Why do you do what you do? What’s that something that’s bigger than you? Something others can tap into. U2 have always had a “relentless belief in the power of rock and roll to change the world” as the book jacket to U2 By U2 (Amazon affiliate link) reminds us.

You can see how U2 have always wanted to break down the wall between the band their audience. And today, Bono spends just as much time meeting with world leaders to champion the causes he and the band believe in as he does making music.

“Bono’s whole thing was: ‘Unless I go after it, I can’t expect the audience to go off. If I have to go in and beat them into submission, I will. I am going to get this crowd on their feet and I’m going to get them to respond to me, and I will do whatever I have to do.'” – Larry Mullen Jr.

3. Have a goal. This should be easy enough to spot. U2 have always wanted to be the biggest band in the world. They’re constantly looking to stay relevant and reach a certain level with their music and their business. Knowing where you want to end up let’s you make choices that get you there.

“I would call up anyone I thought might be able to help.” – Adam Clayton

“We were making progress by degrees, sometimes in small increments, but always moving in the right direction.” – Larry Mullen Jr.

“We always agreed it would be pathetic to be good at the music and bad at the business.” – Paul McGuinness, U2’s Manager

4. Surround yourself with the right people. Sure, you can try to go it alone. But it’ll get very lonely really fast. You need a support system to help you get where you’re going and accomplish what you’re trying to accomplish.

“At first we were all going nowhere, and decided to go there together. Then something very special started to develop between us. It was a kind of brotherhood, with a loyalty to each other and a belief that we could go all the way. Before we could play, before we could write songs, before we could perform, we believed in ourselves as a band.” – The Edge

Believe in yourself

No matter where you are in your journey thus far know that with the right foundation in place. You can achieve your goals. And you too can become the biggest whatever it is you want. Once again:

1. Be an artist.
2. Have a belief.
3. Have a goal.
4. Surround yourself with the right people.

What other ways do you have for moving ahead? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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