Overnight Success Is a Myth—Here’s What Actually Works

Not too long ago, I found myself in the middle of a dramatic vent session with a friend. I’d been working on getting fit—eating better, moving more—and after a few weeks of what I thought was stellar effort, the results were...underwhelming.

“I’m doing all the right things,” I whined. “Why is this taking so long? Why do I still look…the same?”

She gave me one of those looks—the kind that says, I love you, but also, come on. And then she hit me with this:

“There is no microwave equivalent for the kind of results you want. You’re talking about long-term change. You need to be in this for the long haul.”

Okay, well - she had a point.

Goals certainly aren’t instant noodles.

But as I sat there—slightly offended, fully dragged, but also unable to argue—I knew she was right.

What I was craving wasn’t a quick fix. Overnight success, while sometimes preferable, is a myth.

“Overnight success” —the kind of success that seemingly comes out of nowhere is built on top of consistent effort.

I needed lasting change. And that? That takes time.

It’s a truth I keep coming back to, especially in my coaching work. So often, we treat our careers the same way I was treating my fitness journey. We expect quick wins, instant payoffs, and fast tracks to success. And when that doesn’t happen, we start to wonder: Am I doing something wrong?

The truth is, long-term success doesn’t come with a 90-second timer.

The Work You’re Doing Is Working

I know, I know, it can be hard to believe in the moment, but the work you’re putting in is adding up, even if you can’t see it yet.

Think about planting a seed. For weeks, maybe months, you see nothing. You water it. You nurture it. Maybe you even wonder if you’re just wasting your time. But beneath the surface, things are shifting. The roots are growing. The foundation is being laid.

You keep watering.

Then one day, that little seed sprouts. And to everyone else it looks like magic—but you know it was all those quiet, unseen efforts that made it possible.

Your career works the same way. The hours you’re putting in now, the habits you’re building, the relationships you’re nurturing—they’re all laying the groundwork for your next big opportunity.

How to Keep Going When the Payoff Feels Far Away

When you’re putting in the effort but the results feel out of reach, it’s easy to feel stuck or discouraged. But research shows there are ways to stay motivated and focused, even when progress feels slow.

1. Results Are a Lagging Indicator
   Think about the last time you started a new habit—eating healthier, exercising, or saving money. Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, emphasizes that meaningful success is less about instant wins and more about consistent effort over time. I have to remind myself of this point often. There will be days when it’s hard to just show up and to keep going, particularly when you haven’t yet achieved the outcome you want, but the best thing to do is push through. You’ll be better off for it! Progress propels you forward.

2. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Prize
   Harvard researcher Teresa Amabile’s research on motivation shows that finding joy in the process—what she calls “small wins”—is key to staying engaged and resilient.

   When we think about progress, we often imagine how good it feels to achieve a long-term goal or experience a major breakthrough. These big wins are great—but they are relatively rare. The good news is that even small wins can boost inner work life tremendously. Many of the progress events our research participants reported represented only minor steps forward. Yet they often evoked outsize positive reactions.

   And Reshma Saujani, author of Brave, Not Perfect, reminds us that success isn’t about getting everything right; it’s about showing up consistently and embracing the messy middle. I’ve come to love the messy middle. It’s where I lean into problem solving and learning in an attempt to fit all the pieces together. So, the next time you’re stuck in that “in-between” phase, remember: the mess is where the magic is happening.

   As you’re working towards your goals, ask yourself: What am I learning? Who am I becoming? If you’re chasing a promotion, maybe you’re becoming a better communicator or leader. If you’re gunning for a big project, maybe you’re sharpening skills that will serve you for years to come. These small wins along the way are often more valuable than the outcome itself.

3. Trust the Lifestyle Change
   My friend wasn’t talking about a quick challenge or a one-off effort; she was talking about committing to a new way of being. Real change comes from breaking old habits and patterns. Tiffany Dufu, author of Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less, emphasizes that true success often comes down to prioritizing what matters most and letting go of perfectionism.

   In your career, this might mean shifting from sporadic bursts of effort (quick, temporary all out wins) to consistent, deliberate action. It could look like dedicating time to learning, strengthening your network, or seeking regular feedback. Over time, these habits become second nature—and they compound in ways you can’t predict.

You’re Closer Than You Think

If no one’s told you this lately, let me say it: you’re probably doing better than you think. Progress doesn’t always *look like* progress in the moment, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

One day, you’ll be right where you’ve always wanted to be (or better) and you probably won’t even remember every small step you took to get you there.

The effort, the persistence, the moments of doubt—they’re all part of the process.

So take a breath. Stay patient. And keep showing up for yourself, one small step at a time. The results will come, and when they do, they’ll be worth every bit of the work you’ve put in.

I’ll leave you with this.

It’s a nugget from Season 1 of The Impactful Conversations Effect, Episode 4 with Lea Durante. We asked her what was most inspiring piece of leadership advice that she received and she dropped this bomb on us.

I think the most inspiring or best leadership advice was from a coach who helped me understand that what we actually want at the end of the day is the sensation in our body and in our spirit that we've been courageous that day. That really what we're all seeking is authentic expression, authentic doing and being in the world. And that can happen in really small ways.

It’s not about doing everything perfectly or achieving all your goals at once. It’s about showing up authentically, taking bold steps (even tiny ones), and trusting that the effort itself is enough.

When you focus on courage, not perfection, you stop obsessing over whether you’re “there” yet and start appreciating the progress you’re making along the way.

A Quick Recap: How to Keep Going When Success Feels Distant

Here’s why I remind myself of when I’m tempted to give up:

1. Remember, results are a lagging indicator. Progress takes time to show. Trust the process.

2. Find joy in the small wins. Celebrate the habits you’re building, the relationships you’re nurturing, and the skills you’re sharpening.

3. Embrace the messy middle. Growth happens in the uncertainty, the effort, and the persistence.

4. Prioritize courage over perfection. Success isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about showing up consistently and authentically.

You’re closer than you think.