The Elephant in the Room of Success

Yes, it’s time

Darren Matthews
The Shortform

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A big elephant in a tiny room with winning trophies on the walls and a large clock
Image created by author using Microsoft Designer

In the room of success stands an elephant. No one talks about it or acknowledges it, and in truth, even when it is mentioned, everyone belittles it.

The great Lionel Messi only took seventeen years to become an overnight sensation. Justin Welsh posted every day for six years to get six hundred thousand followers on LinkedIn. Warren Buffett spent 75 years compounding his investment into the multi-billion dollar fund it is today.

These examples are different yet share a common thread. While success in each case is unique, there is one crucial consistency.

Time.

It is the elephant in the room of success. You can’t ignore it. You can’t escape it. You just have to accept that success takes time. There are no shortcuts. There are no hacks to become an overnight success.

If you want to succeed, embrace the elephant in the room: give yourself time.

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Darren Matthews
The Shortform

Following my curiosity — which is decision-making — and sharing what I learn along the way