Why slow success is best
We live in such a fast-paced world that it is easy to think success happens overnight when we compare ourselves to others highlight reels but my parents always told me to pray for slow success.
When I repeat this saying to friends or clients, they look baffled because it is so deeply ingrained in us to always be aiming for the next thing. I am not talking about goals which (as long as they are personal and ignite a spark in our soul) are a great way to keep us motivated. The trouble starts when our goals become trying to keep up with the Joneses.
This applies not only in business but also in your private life. I remember getting married and then three days later being asked: “When is the baby coming along?”! My friends with babies constantly get asked: “When are you having the second?” Some were still healing from their caesarean!
I am not surprised to see clients and friends freaking out because they have not been made Partner at their law firm, even when they have been working at that firm for only a short period of time. I have also attended many books launches and every time the author is asked: “What’s your next book going to be about?”. Do they realise how long it takes to write a book?! It is an excruciating process to even produce a small piece of writing let alone a whole book.
It is therefore unsurprising that our expectations are rising to match this level of madness. I am not saying that we shouldn’t strive to accomplish our dreams, just that we should do it at our own pace without succumbing to the pressure of your close circle. Instagram strangers can be a trigger but we are more likely to be set off by friends, family, and colleagues.
Here is why you should ignore the triggers and pray for slow success:
1. You will have time to mature and learn important lessons
This will give you plenty of opportunities to improve and change direction if needed. If you make a mistake as a small brand you can quickly address it and barely anyone will notice.
2. You can have a life outside of your career
With great success comes great responsibility (and massive headaches!). No matter what career path you choose, it is the quality of your close relationships that will give you the most joy.
3. You will increase your chance of success
When I decided to do an LLM I was 27 which, while still very young, is considered mature by the UK higher education system. I would have failed if I did it in my early twenties because I was a completely different person (i.e. immature). It is the same with a business, if you take your time you can observe other businesses mistakes and avoid them. Although you can not avoid all mistakes, if you can avoid the ones that cost you thousands of pounds unnecessarily then this is time well spent.
Take your time and if someone pressures you in any way here are some ready-made answers for them:
1. If they ask you about kids you can use my saying: “I will have one if you agree to move in and look after it.” Enjoy watching their face decompose - highly entertaining I must admit!
2. If they ask you about your career and “What’s next?” you can say “A year of sleep, what about you?”
Life is too short to live under other people’s terms. Everything you see online and offline is smoke and mirrors. Even some of your closest friends will not share their real struggles. I had a friend that would always tell me everything was “all good“ who then announced out of the blue that she was getting a divorce. Remember this when your inner voice tries to trick you into believing that you are falling behind. One of my favourite sayings is: “God is never in a hurry but always on time!"