7/27/26:  Why Success Takes Longer Than You Think (And Why That’s Okay)

We live in a world that desires instant gratification. 

As a parent, I’ve always found it annoying.  My kids (especially my youngest) lack patience or the ability to sit with a decision.

Imagine being a coach in an instant gratification world! 

People want results NOW – in life and business.

These are the same people who can’t handle the disappointment of delayed success.

I know, it seems like I’m ragging on the human race, but really that is not what I’m doing. 

Just like life, business doesn’t always reward you immediately.  The harsh reality is that, depending on your industry, it can take two or three years before a business becomes consistently profitable.

When I tell clients that harsh reality, it blows their mind 🤯

I do believe most people start a business expecting instant success and constant growth.  This is likely because we hear things like, “I started this business in my garage,” “all I had was $100 and a dream,” or some other cliche that makes us think we can get a lot with a little.

What these same people don’t share is the challenges and setbacks they experienced.  Their success was not overnight.  Most likely, hard work and perseverance prevailed. 

The truth of life and business is, momentum is hard, growth is gradual, and sustainability requires hard work. Success will undoubtedly take longer than you expected.

During the growth seasons, it may be time to redefine success.

Maybe success isn’t measured by revenue this month. Maybe it’s finally having a consistent marketing plan, improving your systems, landing a discovery call, earning a referral, or simply showing up when quitting would have been easier. Those smaller wins are often the foundation that bigger success is built on.

If I focused wholly on finances and client numbers, I would convince myself it is time to throw in the towel.  But, hooray for me, I know the statistics about profitability and timelines.  That is why I focus on gradual growth.

A few weeks ago I talked about frustrating losses, but this week I get to celebrate wins.

Two meetings that I wasn’t 100% what I expected turned into excitement and motivation.

That’s what business is – momentum, growth, sustainability.

The momentum from those two meetings has driven me to conquer tasks and to-dos that normally overwhelm me.  Overcoming will cause intentional growth.  Then the hard part – sustainability.

Sustainability, especially in “the middle” (which we talked about last week) can be a challenge.  It can make success feel like a long, drawn out path.  But this is your opportunity to define success.
Is success making a huge sale?

Is it snagging that project you had always dreamed of?

Is it gradual growth?

Success doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s highlight reel. It should look like a business that supports the life you want to live.

If your definition of success leaves you constantly exhausted, anxious, or chasing the next milestone without ever feeling fulfilled, it may be time to redefine it.

Decide what success means to you. Then make decisions that move you toward that version—not someone else’s.

Nobody wants to build a mansion of misery.

Build a business you’re proud to own and a life you’re excited to live.