Success Doesn’t Come to You—You Chase It Down
How I Turned Setbacks into Stepping Stones and Created My Own Path Forward
There was a time when I thought success was something that happened to people—like luck or fate. I’d scroll through social media, see smiling faces announcing promotions, achievements, dream vacations, and I'd wonder what secret formula they had that I didn’t. I was waiting. Waiting for my turn. Waiting for opportunity to knock, for someone to notice my potential, for life to magically fall into place.
But here's the truth I wish I had known earlier: success never comes knocking—you have to chase it down with everything you've got.
The Early Days of Waiting
In my early twenties, I believed I was doing all the “right” things. I went to college, got good grades, and applied to dozens of jobs. When rejections came, I shrugged and said, “Maybe it’s just not meant to be yet.” I told myself that if I stayed patient, life would reward me eventually.
That passive mindset became a comfortable excuse. I blamed the economy. I blamed timing. I blamed everything but my own inaction.
But then something shifted.
The Wake-Up Moment
One day, after yet another rejection email, I sat in my small apartment, utterly defeated. I looked around and realized I was stuck—not just in my career, but in my attitude. I wasn’t failing because I wasn’t good enough. I was failing because I wasn’t trying hard enough. I was playing it safe. I was hiding behind “hope” and calling it strategy.
That night, I wrote a question on a sticky note and stuck it on my mirror:
“What would it look like if you chased your dream instead of waiting for it?”
I didn't have an answer then. But I promised myself I’d figure it out.
Learning to Chase
I started small. I woke up earlier. I read books on habits, success, and mindset. I attended free webinars and took online courses in areas I wanted to grow in—public speaking, writing, marketing.
Instead of sending out the same generic resume, I built a portfolio. I created a personal website. I emailed people I admired—not to ask for a job, but to ask for advice. Some ignored me. But some didn’t. One kind mentor told me, “If you want something badly, show up for it like it already belongs to you.”
That advice burned itself into my brain.
Taking Risks that Scared Me
Eventually, I applied for a role that felt out of my league—something I truly wanted. I tailored my application like never before. I included a personalized pitch. I rehearsed my interview like my life depended on it.
And I got it.
That one “yes” didn’t change everything overnight. But it was enough to show me that chasing success wasn’t just about confidence—it was about consistency and courage. I started setting monthly goals, not just wishlists. I tracked my wins and my lessons, not my losses.
Failing Forward
The truth is, even when you start chasing success, you’ll fall—often. But when you’re in motion, falling is just part of learning. Each stumble became a stepping stone: the blog that got no readers taught me how to write better headlines. The client who didn’t hire me led me to revamp my pitch and land the next one.
I realized that chasing success doesn’t mean you’re never scared—it means you run despite the fear.
What I Know Now
Today, I'm in a career I love, doing work that challenges me and aligns with my values. I’ve built things—projects, partnerships, connections—that once felt impossible. But the most important change wasn’t external. It was internal.
I stopped waiting.
I started acting.
I chased down the life I wanted.
And even now, I keep chasing.
Because success isn’t a destination—it’s a habit. It’s built day by day, choice by choice. It shows up when you show up. It finds you on the road, not on the couch.
Final Moral / Life Lesson
Success doesn’t come to the most talented or the most lucky. It comes to the most determined—the ones willing to show up, stumble, and keep going anyway.
So if you’re waiting for your moment, stop. Get up, start moving, and chase it down. You’ll be amazed at what happens when you do.
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Thank you for reading...
Regards: Fazal Hadi
About the Creator
Fazal Hadi
Hello, I’m Fazal Hadi, a motivational storyteller who writes honest, human stories that inspire growth, hope, and inner strength.
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