Three weeks ago, I decided to take charge of my health. I committed to new habits, determined to see quick results. I envisioned shedding pounds, gaining energy, and feeling better almost immediately. But after weeks of consistent effort, the scale barely budged. I felt frustrated, even doubting if all this work was worth it.
Sound familiar?
It’s easy to feel disheartened when progress doesn’t match our expectations. Whether you’re working on weight loss, building a business, or mastering a new skill, the initial excitement can fade quickly when results don’t come fast enough. But here’s the reality: the key to long-term success isn’t in achieving quick wins. It’s in the commitment to daily practice, showing up, and putting in the work, even when the results are invisible.
The Myth of Instant Results: Why Success Takes Time
We live in a world obsessed with instant gratification. We see stories of overnight success everywhere we look—people who seem to achieve their goals effortlessly and quickly. But these stories are rarely the whole truth. They gloss over the years of hard work, the setbacks, and the countless hours spent refining their craft before the world took notice.
Research supports this. A study from University College London found that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit—much longer than the often-cited 21 days. And that’s just to establish a routine, not to achieve significant results. Whether you’re trying to get in shape, grow your business, or develop a new skill, real progress requires consistent effort over a longer period than most anticipate.
When we expect quick results that don’t come, it’s easy to feel defeated. We start questioning ourselves: Am I doing something wrong? Is this even worth it? These doubts are part of the process. Real change takes time. It’s not about the speed of progress but about laying a solid foundation for lasting success.
Building a Strong Practice: The Key to Lasting Change
Let’s talk about what drives success: establishing a practice. Success doesn’t come from one big breakthrough but from a series of small, consistent actions. As James Clear puts it in his book Atomic Habits, “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.” Every small action, repeated day after day, compounds into significant results over time. Just like compound interest, the results of our efforts grow exponentially.
Think of it like planting a garden. You plant, water, and nurture seeds but don’t see anything sprouting immediately. It’s easy to get frustrated when there’s no visible growth. But under the surface, roots are developing, the plant is gaining strength, and soon, it will break through the soil. The same applies to any goal. The visible results come only after invisible growth, fueled by consistent practice.
Consistency Beats Perfection: Why Small Steps Matter More
One of the biggest pitfalls is believing that success requires perfection. We set ourselves up for failure by thinking that missing a day at the gym, slipping on a diet, or making a mistake means we’re not cut out for success. But success is not flawless execution; it’s about showing up, day after day, even when it’s tough.
Think about the people who inspire you. Their success stories are rarely smooth or straightforward. They faced countless setbacks and failures, yet they kept going. Their achievements didn’t come from one perfect moment but from relentless commitment, even when things were tough.
The same applies to any personal goal. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s not about one perfect week of eating and exercise. It’s about consistently making better choices over time. Those small, everyday decisions add up and lead to lasting change.
Find Joy in the Journey: Embrace the Process, Not Just the Outcome
The secret to sticking with any practice is finding joy in the process, not just in the outcome. If you’re solely focused on hitting a specific goal weight or achieving a revenue target, you might lose motivation when progress stalls. But if you can find satisfaction in the daily practice—whether it’s the feeling of completing a workout, the excitement of learning something new, or the satisfaction of small business wins—you’ll be more likely to keep going.
We often hear athletes talk about being “in the zone,” wholly absorbed in their activity, where the effort feels almost effortless. This state, known as flow, is where true fulfillment lies. It’s about fully engaging in what you’re doing right now, not worrying about the outcome. When you find this state, practice becomes rewarding in itself.
Patience and Persistence: Your Secret Weapons for Success
Results take time—often more time than we’d like. It’s in this space between starting and seeing results that most people give up. But patience and persistence are your greatest allies. Patience allows you to endure slow progress. Persistence keeps you showing up and doing the work day after day.
This separates those who achieve their goals from those who don’t. It’s not talent or luck. It’s the willingness to keep going when progress seems invisible, to trust the process, and to believe that the results will come if you stay the course.
Reap the Rewards: How Practice Leads to Success
Success isn’t a destination in health, business, or personal growth. It’s a journey of countless small actions, each building on the last. The seeds you plant today—those daily practices that seem so small and insignificant—are what will grow into the harvest you reap tomorrow.
So, if you’re feeling discouraged or wondering if all this effort is worth it, take heart. Focus on the practice, not the outcome. Keep showing up, doing the work, and trust that the results will come in time.
Because they will. Maybe not today or next week, but they will come. And when they do, you’ll realize that every small step you took was building something remarkable.