9 Harsh Truths About Success No One Tells You

[Cpvr]

9 Harsh Truths About Success No One Tells You
(Save this for when the grind gets real)

We often think success looks like a straight line...

But here’s what really happens behind the scenes:

1/ Overnight Success is Rare

↳ Most people work for years before they see results.
↳ Real success is built slowly, one step at a time.

2/ Hard Work is Just One Piece

↳ It’s not enough to hustle – strategy and timing matter too.
↳ Working smart is as important as working hard.

3/ Motivation Comes and Goes

↳ You won’t feel inspired every day, and that’s okay.
↳ Discipline is what keeps you going when motivation fades.

4/ Passion Doesn’t Always Equal Happiness

↳ Following your passion has highs and lows.
↳ It’s worth it, but don’t expect it to be easy.

5/ Failure is Part of the Process

↳ Every setback is a lesson – embrace it.
↳ Success is built on the back of failures.

6/ Rejection is Inevitable

↳ You’ll hear “no” more times than you can count.
↳ But every “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.”

7/ Sacrifices are Necessary

↳ Time, comfort, and even relationships are often compromised.
↳ Growth comes at a cost – make sure it’s worth it.

8/ Balance is a Constant Battle

↳ Highs are followed by lows, wins by setbacks.
↳ Success is learning to ride the waves.

9/ Success is a Journey, Not a Destination

↳ There’s no final “I made it” moment – just the next goal.
↳ Embrace the process and keep evolving.

Which reality hits home for you?
For me, #5 has been a game-changer.

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Success is about resilience, not perfection.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Failure is a great way to learn. I embrace failure.

 

[Arantor]

I'd also note that success is very often a game of 'be careful what you wish for, you might just get it'. In the same way that offices jokingly refer to 'don't be competent and get all your work done, they'll just give you more of it', success has a habit of bringing all sorts of unexpected side effects you never intended.

I am very good at solving problems, I have made an entire career out of it. The only problem is that there's solving the problem and there's writing the code to solve the problem, which are not equivalent. I made a career out of both, but I find I end up doing a lot more of the latter than the former, though the former is where the real fun is...

 

[Cedric]

I'd also note that success is very often a game of 'be careful what you wish for, you might just get it'. In the same way that offices jokingly refer to 'don't be competent and get all your work done, they'll just give you more of it', success has a habit of bringing all sorts of unexpected side effects you never intended.

I am very good at solving problems, I have made an entire career out of it. The only problem is that there's solving the problem and there's writing the code to solve the problem, which are not equivalent. I made a career out of both, but I find I end up doing a lot more of the latter than the former, though the former is where the real fun is...

I guess that’s just how things evolve. You’re hired to do a thing, next your expected to do the other.

 

[Arantor]

True that, though it’d be nice if people hired me to do more interesting things than the same old stuff I already did…