How many times have you scrolled through Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn and seen a post about how someone mastered a skill in record time, learned a new language in 3 months, or how they’ve turned a side hustle into a successful business in 6 months? The narrative is clear: Success Should be Easy, seamless, and achievable with a few “secret” strategies.
It sounds great, right? Who wouldn’t want success handed to them effortlessly?
But here’s the truth: the majority of successful people will tell you that it was hard work, grit, and sometimes years of failure that got them there. It’s easy to sell effortless success, but it’s far from the reality for most of us.
What Really Makes Success Happen
Whether it’s in your career or personal goals, it comes down to Consistent Effort. In fact, the people we see as “overnight successes” typically have been working toward their goals for years before they “made it”.
Here’s what real success looks like:
- Consistency: Showing up, even when you don’t feel like it.
- Hard work: Tackling the difficult tasks that others avoid.
- Failure: Learning from mistakes, rather than avoiding them.
- Patience: Understanding that true success takes time.
So, next time you see someone promoting a “quick fix” or an “easy way to success”, ask yourself: What am I not seeing?
The Cost of Chasing Effortless Success
There’s a hidden cost to chasing the “effortless” myth. We push ourselves to do more, do better, and achieve quicker results, thinking that the success we see on the surface is the reality. The problem?
- We get burnt out faster because we never stop.
- We feel like failures because progress isn’t always visible.
- We miss out on real growth and learning because we’re too focused on speed.
When we fall into the trap of expecting effortless success, we lose sight of the real value of success, which comes from consistent, deliberate effort.
The Power of Consistency and Effort
Success doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in small, consistent actions over time. The beauty of true success is not in how quickly you get there but in how sustainable it is.
Here’s how you can start embracing a more realistic approach to success:
- Focus on the long game: Don’t aim for instant success. Aim for long-term growth.
- Master one thing at a time: You don’t need to do everything at once. Focus on mastering one skill before moving on to the next.
- Commit to consistency: Success is about showing up daily, not just when you feel motivated.
- Embrace failure: Failure is part of the process. Learn from it, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Final Thought: Success is Earned, Not Found
In a world obsessed with effortless success, don’t fall for the myth that it should be easy. Embrace work, the setbacks, the dedication, and, ultimately, the growth that follows 🌱
If you’re not actively putting in the “whatever it takes” mentality, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. The key isn’t just about getting what you want; it’s about maintaining what you’ve worked for. Everything requires energy, whether it’s achieving a goal or sustaining it. Keep your foot pressed on the accelerator, but go at a steady pace!
It’s been such a joy connecting with people who care about things like productivity, stress, work-life balance (and not just pretending to on LinkedIn). Huge thanks to each of you for sticking around .🤍
I truly hope these posts brought you at least one valuable thought, or sparked a tiny lightbulb moment 💡
Before I sign off, I’d love to hear from you:
👉 What’s one piece of advice you swear by for staying sane, productive, or just human in a chaotic world?
It could be a mindset shift, a weird habit, or just “never check email before coffee” ☕️
Share your wisdom in the comments. Let’s make this final post a little collective notebook of good ideas. ❤️
🎥 ✨Watch the Final Video 👉
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKUkdLwMhmF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Here is a recap:
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Rewriting Rest: Letting Go of Feeling Guilty for Taking a Break
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The 80% Rule: Why Finishing Tasks isn’t Always the Smartest Use of Time
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See you around,
Mariam
My training coach always reminds me to wait for results. It took me 1 year to run 20km, on the other hand I was always seeing reels on instagram how you can be good at running and run first half marathon in 5 months and I fell for it and signed up for half marathon but I couldn’t make it. So, I learned my lesson that nothing comes without sweat. Really liked the blog!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s really so easy to get caught up in those quick success stories, but real progress takes time and effort. Sounds like you’ve learned some valuable lessons along the way!
Recently i was required to learn new program at work and they gave me timeline of 1 year, which i really appreciated, was unexpected though 🙄 but shootouts to everyone who can have a minimal understanding of that progress takes a lot of time
Hi Vincent, that’s a great approach! A full year gives you the space to really absorb the material without the pressure. It’s refreshing when timelines are realistic. Progress truly takes time, and it’s awesome you’re company is acknowledging that!
I absolutely loved the series and it was inspiring for me! One piece of advice I have to keep productive is taking a nap! Works for me anytime I’m tired and exhausted.And if nap isn’t possible during the day I try to call family member or friend and unwind
Thanks for sharing! Naps are such a game-changer for productivity! I’m someone who caaaan’t do it and I wish I could. And calling a family member or friend is a great way to reset and recharge too. It’s all about finding what works for you!
Consistency is hard at the beginning, definitely helps to focus on the long term! I also like to do mini goals along the way to I can celebrate short wins ☺️
Hi Juli! Exactly! Breaking things down into mini goals makes the journey feel more manageable and gives you those little wins to stay motivated. Focusing on the long term while enjoying the small victories is a great strategy!
Consistency is key! Nothing is an overnight success, have patience and keep going! A few minutes a day over time can make such a big difference. Thanks for all the great insights!
Hi Karen, thanks for your thoughtful comment. I’m glad you found the insights helpful! And yes, patience and consistency really do pay off!
Great post, Mariam! I really liked how you highlighted the truth behind success—it’s all about consistency, not shortcuts. Very inspiring and relatable!
Thank you so much for your feedback! Happy to hear that it resonated with you!
Another point that I think is obvious but often forgotten is to not compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s natural to think you’ve “failed” if you haven’t achieved the same or higher level as a peer. Just go your pace and be satisfied and proud of the fact that you’re one step further to reaching your goal.
Oh, Michelle, I love that one. It’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, especially with social media constantly showing everyone’s highlight reel. At the end of the day, I am always trying to remind myself that the only competition is with your past self, not anyone else.
Very valuable thought! I think it’s especially important to highlight that it really comes down to sticking with it, especially when you don’t feel like it, and staying disciplined. Discipline is a precious asset in today’s fast-paced world. And, of course, in that context, it’s important not to drift away for too long. I used to have phases where I kept postponing things to tomorrow, and then again and again, until I didn’t do them at all. Nowadays, I take care of things right away, and my flow is rarely interrupted. That gives me a sense of security, and my personal growth continues unhindered.
A small addition — I keep noticing that I’m learning more and more about my own limits, and of course there are days when nothing works at all, especially when you want to be persistent over the long term. That’s when breaks really help — going out into nature, calling friends or family, doing an enjoyable activity, or simply allowing yourself to be bored — that’s the key.
Hi Lotte, that’s such a thoughtful response. Exactly, discipline is such a game-changer. It’s not always glamorous, but the consistency of showing up, even when you don’t feel like it, is where the real progress happens. I’m happy for you that you’ve found your flow and figured out how to prevent procrastination from snowballing. I totally agree with you on the importance of breaks too! For me, very often doing less is doing more. Taking time to recharge, whether it’s through nature or connecting with loved ones, actually makes me more productive in the long run. It’s all about balance and happy that you found it!
This was such a refreshing reminder in a world obsessed with shortcuts. Thank you for normalizing slow, steady growth over overnight success. The message about long-term, steady progress really stuck with me. Wishing you all the best ✨
Hi Mert, thank you so much for your feedback! It means a lot to me that you have some takeaway from my blog. Wishing you all the best back <3
Most common word game from the gym “no pain no gain “ 👍👍
Hi, Tornike. Absolutely! No sweat, no strength! But don’t forget, recovery is just as important. 😉
The pressure to achieve quickly can be overwhelming, but real growth happens when we embrace the process and stay consistent. Patience is everything and I’m really working on improving it. I am doing better than I was doing for example a year ago, when I was requiring super quick results from myself.
Hi Tika, thanks for sharing your experience! I think being patient with yourself and focusing on progress rather than perfection can make a huge difference in how we approach our goals. You’re definitely on the right track. One year of progress is massive! Keep trusting the process, it pays off in ways we don’t always expect.
Success isn’t instant; I wish it was though. it’s built through consistency and grit. Embracing the journey, not just the destination, is key! Loved the blog!
Hi Lasha. So true! Success takes time and consistency. Embracing the journey makes all the difference. Glad you enjoyed the blog!
Thank you for this article! What keeps me going is the mindset of accepting that there will be ups and downs. Some days you just don’t feel your best, and that’s okay — it’s perfectly fine to rest and pick things up again the next day. I’ve found this approach really helpful in the long run.
I love that mindset! Accepting the ups and downs was a huge relief for me too. It’s so easy to feel pressure to always be “on,” but allowing yourself rest and understanding that some days won’t be your best actually helps you stay consistent. I’m so happy for you that you found what helps you!
Loved this! I’ve also felt that pressure to “make it” quickly, especially when we constantly see success stories online. It’s really encouraging to be reminded that real growth takes time, effort, and consistency. Thanks for sharing such a grounded perspective!
Hi Liza, thanks for your thoughtful words!