Those Who Persevere to the End Will Eventually Earn Medals in the Passage of Time

In an age where information floods every corner of our screens, we’re constantly surrounded by stories of overnight success: someone gains a million followers in three months, another raises a round of funding within half a year. It’s easy to believe that achievement is just a formula away.

But when I began writing about “Phases of Effort,” I wasn't advocating for shortcuts. I was trying to share a truth hidden in the folds of time: the kind of success that truly lasts is always a product of consistent effort and steady accumulation.

1. The Four Growth Zones: From Apprentice to Master

I firmly believe that in any field, growth follows a predictable trajectory:

3 months of apprenticeship

6 months of survival

18 months of focused dedication

Only then do you start to see real results.

These aren't arbitrary time blocks—they’re patterns I noticed after interviewing a senior software engineer. He described his early confusion: fumbling with documentation for three months, finally handling basic modules after six, and only after two full years, beginning to grasp system architecture on a deeper level.

It reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000-Hour Rule,” but with a twist—what matters more than just time is how deeply you engage at every phase.

In today’s workplace, “immediate monetization” has become a pressure point. People try to cash in on skills they’ve barely scratched the surface of. A minor setback can send them spiraling into self-doubt.

But growth, like the rings of a tree, must be layered. In your apprenticeship, let go of impatience. In the survival phase, hone your skills. In the career phase, build resources and resilience. Every step forms the foundation for your future takeoff.

Just look at Jiro Ono—the sushi master who, even in his nineties, continues refining the balance of vinegar in his rice. That’s the best living definition of an “18-month career phase” turned lifelong pursuit. Because a true calling isn’t a finish line; it’s an ever-evolving craft.

2. Beyond Hard Work: The Rarity of "Anti-Instinct" Persistence

There’s a psychological term for why most people give up too soon—“decision fatigue.” When faced with sustained challenge, our brains instinctively seek escape.

That’s why so many drop out during the apprenticeship phase. Once novelty fades, repetition drains willpower. And when you can’t see immediate results, it’s tempting to question your path.

But those who succeed are the ones who develop a system for staying in the game. They break big goals into daily actions, use rituals like checklists or journaling to maintain momentum, and surround themselves with like-minded individuals who lift them through low points.

I once witnessed a content creator's journey: for six months, she had only a few hundred followers. But she showed up daily, crafting thoughtful, value-driven posts. By the tenth month, a wave of traffic changed everything.

She later told me, “What kept me going wasn’t blind hustle—it was belief in the compound curve. I knew everything I was doing was feeding a transformation I couldn’t yet see.”

That reminded me of a quote from The Alchemist:

“When you truly want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

But first, you must endure the dark before dawn.

3. In a World Obsessed with Speed, Be the Tree That Roots Downward

We’re flooded with talk of “money hacks” and “shortcuts to success.” But let’s be honest—real work isn’t a cheat code.

There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “Three years to enter a trade, five to understand it, ten to master it.” It nails the essence of deep craft. Doctors train for over a decade. Lawyers go through grueling apprenticeships. And no matter the industry, mastery takes time.

In an era where AI can write code, what remains uniquely human is what machines can’t replicate: deliberate thought, intuitive insight, and emotional intelligence. That’s where our "clumsy persistence" becomes our superpower.

I love the idea that real success isn’t about beating others—it’s about becoming better than your yesterday self. When we shift from chasing short-term wins to embracing long-term growth, every setback becomes a hidden power-up.

A failed sales pitch teaches you how to handle objections. A failed business teaches you how to mitigate risk. These “invisible wins” are the secret gifts that time grants those who persist.

4. Three Actionable Tips for the Long Haul

🎯 Set Milestones for Each Phase

During your apprenticeship, choose skill-based goals (e.g., learn 3 key tools). In your survival phase, set business benchmarks (e.g., complete one solo project). Quantifiable progress acts like a flashlight in the dark.

🧠 Build an “Anti-Fragile” Mindset

Treat failure like feedback, not final judgment. Think like a developer debugging code—every bug is a step toward improvement. Many of my biggest growth moments began in frustration.

💡 Anchor to Meaning

When you feel exhausted, return to your “why.” Are you doing this to solve a real problem? To become more than who you were? Purpose is the longest-lasting fuel. Whenever I hit a writing block, I go back to why I started: to share value and help others grow. That belief always refuels me.

The Finish Line Isn’t for the Fastest—It’s for the Most Committed

Looking back, the ones who make it aren’t always the fastest. They’re the ones who endure.

They know real effort isn’t flashy or performative. It’s the quiet force that pushes a seed through frozen ground, gathering strength in silence, weathering the storm, and blooming in its own season.

So if you're in your “survival phase,” struggling through stagnation or fatigue—please remember:

Time never fails those who sow with intention.

When others quit after three months, take one more step—that’s where the breakthrough begins.

When others pivot after a year, keep building—that’s when the magic starts to unfold.

Because life isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. And in that race, the medal goes not to the fastest, but to the ones who never stopped moving.

That’s the truth I’ve come to live by.

And I hope it fuels you to keep going, too.