We live in a world that’s obsessed with soft life, quick wins, and overnight success, so it’s easy to forget that real success takes time. It’s even worse if you’re a Nigerian who lives in Nigeria, where talent is everywhere but systems are broken. The road to success is even longer.
This isn’t a motivational thread. It’s a survival guide for creatives, professionals, and founders who are in the thick of it.
Here are 7 hard reminders you need:
1. The grind is real, and most people quit before it even starts
Everyone wants to ‘blow.’ Few want to go through the process..
Success isn’t a straight line. It’s a dirty, sweaty, often lonely grind. You’ll question yourself. You’ll feel invisible. You’ll want to quit. And many will.
People love to cheer when you’re trending. But when you’re just starting, still figuring it out, still broke, still unknown, nobody’s watching.
And that’s okay.
2. The struggle is meant to gut-check you
You’ll face rejection. Silence. Days when nothing moves. Nights when you wonder if you’re just wasting time.
That’s not a sign to stop. That’s the test.
The grind isn’t punishment. It’s proof. If you’re still showing up, even when it’s hard, you’re already ahead of most.
3. Nobody cares when you’re in the garage
You’ll host events no one attends. Post content no one likes. Pitch ideas that never get replies. You’ll rehearse in the dark, hoping someday the spotlight finds you.
It’s humbling and necessary.
Because by the time the applause comes, you’ll be too seasoned to get drunk on it.
4. Speed is overrated, structure is everything
In this age of viral moments and microwave success, it’s tempting to chase speed. But speed without a solid foundation is how startups crash. Or how creators burn out.
Build slowly if you must. Just build right.
If your work can’t survive pressure, it won’t survive success.
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5. If you’re not getting rejected, you’re playing it safe
Every “no” is a receipt that you’re still in the game. Rejection doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re trying. And trying means you’re dangerous.
The most successful people didn’t get lucky. They just heard “no” so many times that it stopped meaning anything.
6. The real win is in the process
The top isn’t magical. It’s just the result of doing the same hard things over and over, when no one’s watching.
It’s not the destination that changes you. It’s the road that shapes you.
You won’t become great when you arrive. You’ll become great while you’re still climbing.
7. If you’re still climbing, you’re still winning
You don’t need everything figured out. You don’t need a viral post. Or a sponsor. Or a blue check.
You just need to keep showing up.
Success isn’t a party bus. It’s a rickety Danfo you push uphill yourself, one hustle at a time.
If you’re tired but still standing, you’re not behind, you’re exactly where you need to be.
Finally
There’s no shortcut. Just the long road. But here’s the good news: the long road builds things that last.
So if you’re still climbing, with or without applause, keep going.
The top isn’t going anywhere.
