I’m not world-famous like Kanye West. I’m not even Christian-famous like Chris Tomlin. But in certain small circles, I get a small glimpse of what it’s like to be famous. At certain conferences of about 1000 people from a tiny niche in Christianity, people know who I am. Not gonna lie, it’s fun.
But at the same time, this whole “fame” thing isn’t what people think it is. It’s not nearly as awesome as people think it is. And those who encourage you to reach for it don’t get what comes with it.
Here are five things that come along with fame that might make you want to reconsider getting it.
1. It’s an Eternally Hungry Monster
You might become famous with one book, one viral blog posts, or one TV moment. But fame doesn’t last. If you want to maintain that fame platform, you have to keep doing noteworthy things, knowing you can lose your fame at any moment.
When people stop thinking and talking about you, you’ve lost fame. And if you’re building your life on fame, that’s a shaky foundation to stand on.
2. Famous People Rarely Deserve Fame
Besides the fact that Jesus is the only person truly worthy of any fame, fame doesn’t necessarily follow talent. So when I’m at a conference, getting to speak from the main stage, there are actually people in the audience better suited to speak than me. Yet they have to listen to me. And we both know they have better thoughts and even better delivery than I have.
Knowing that makes the whole fame thing feel all the worse. It can become such an insecure moment.
3. You Become a Target for Criticism
If you’re highly visible and doing anything of consequence, people will shoot at you. If you’re mega famous, it’ll be the paparazzi. If you’re Christian-famous, it’ll be Christians and Christian magazines looking to crucify you. And while I don’t have that level of scrutiny, I still get more than average.
If you want fame, you have to be willing to deal with all that junk. And for most of us, I don’t think it’s really worth it.
4. You Become a Stepping Stone for Others
Who are your real friends and who are the people merely using you to attain fame for themselves? Any time you have a platform, people will latch onto you in an attempt to get access to that. It makes actual friendships difficult, because you can become a bit paranoid.
5. It’s Easy to Become Blind to the True You
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you can get so focuses on the things people like about you that you forget the true you. And this isn’t just a problem for the famous. Whenever you’re notable for your beauty or your insight into a certain topic, you can begin thinking that’s the only value you have. So any pimple or any criticism to your knowledge can derail you and your identity.
That’s not a good place to be.
Listen; there’s a fame that isn’t as damaging. But that most often comes when you aren’t seeking it out. And even then it isn’t all that fun.
My encouragement is do what you do with excellence. If fame comes, that’s fine. But what will come is influence. And that’s worth it. Influence is far better than fame any day.