Why Quick Fixes Won't Lead to Lasting Success

Recently, a reader reached out to give me his thoughts after reading my book.

He mentioned (and I’m paraphrasing), “I’m not sure if anyone in our organization could accurately explain our strategic goals - even our executives. You’re discussing topics that can unite people, but what if no one has the time to put in the effort?”

Will I make it effortless for you to succeed? Absolutely not. I am not the right person to help you in that way.

It is a simple fact: without an obligation, there can be no reward.

So, I don’t concern myself with those unwilling to put in the effort. They are not my intended audience or potential clients. They are content with the current state of things and have no interest in evolving or improving their position in life.

I know I will not make progress as a human being unless I push myself out of my comfort zone and make the necessary effort.

As I continue to gain knowledge and experience, I inevitably improve in the areas I am focused on.

A mentor’s advice has stayed with me throughout the years: “Always be a student.” No matter your success or accomplishment, there is always room for improvement and growth.

Refusing to accept that I will evolve or that I don’t have anything to learn is akin to giving up on personal growth and inviting potential depression into my life.

My identity and writing will evolve over the next five years as I constantly strive for self-improvement.

I have experience as a waiter in the service industry, a sales representative in telecommunications, and a volunteer who helped build a monument overseas. I have also held positions as a CEO and CXO of global companies and contributed value as a business consultant, a speaker, and an author.

With each role, you absorb all you can, reinvent yourself, and evolve. I could claim this was all part of a master plan, but that would be dishonest.

I am naturally inclined towards roles that allow me to contribute to the betterment of someone else’s story. I am driven by my curiosity and always attentive to what others have to share with me.

I have always been determined to make decisions and resist outside influences. At the tender age of fourteen, this mindset began when my best friend warned me that if I didn’t study as intensely as he did, I would never succeed in life.

His words stung me at the time, but at that moment, I chose to prioritize my curiosity over catering to others’ desires.

I’ve lived my life this way.

I refuse to make things easier for others by telling them they can give up or not put in the effort. They shouldn’t have to strive for improvement or push themselves out of their comfort zone.

I’ve witnessed too many instances where individuals are given things they didn’t earn, whether it be a promotion at work or recognition for completing a project for which their team did most of the work.

These individuals tend to create toxic environments in their workplaces. They dominate conversations, take credit for others’ ideas, and silence their voices.

I have seen this behavior in various industries, from corporate offices to creative spaces. In these environments, it’s common for these individuals to rise to positions of power due to their strong personalities and unwavering determination.

However, as leaders, we recognize that true success comes from collaboration and open communication, not domination and credit-taking.

As I’ve grown in my career and personal life, I’ve learned that growth and success come from stepping out of our comfort zones. It can be scary and uncomfortable initially, but it’s necessary for growth.

When we push ourselves out of our comfort zones, we challenge ourselves to learn new things and acquire new skills. You can evolve by taking on new projects at work or trying something completely outside your usual routine.

Throughout my life, I have taken on challenges that have scared me, whether public speaking or engineering new products. While these experiences may have been nerve-wracking at the time, the knowledge and skills I gained during those times have stayed with me.

It’s important to remember that any growth comes with discomfort. We can only improve by facing challenges and making mistakes along the way. But instead of fearing failure, we should embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

So, remember: To grow and succeed, you must push yourself out of your comfort zone and put in the effort. The knowledge and skills you gain during the process will be yours forever - and no one can take that away from you.

Even though I don’t have a new client, I’m grateful I didn’t waste my efforts on a company that is only interested in quick and easy solutions.

Celestine Chua once said, “The only limits in your life are those you set yourself.”

You can change and improve yourself and the world, or you can continue with the status quo. I have decided to change.