Time is more than a motivator to success, it is undeniably one of the keys to it. We live in a generation of get-rich-scams and newsfeeds of the next social media sensation. Seventeen-year-old kids are photographed in front of their luxury houses and driving expensive cars. It is normal to think that we can become like them.

All it will take are a couple of days spent chiming away on the keyboard, see the money rolling in and the dollar sign appearing on the top of our heads to be made. Frankly, it sounds more like a cartoon than reality. And the reality is a lot darker. No, those stories are either fabricated or they had people helping them to be where they are today.

Most people who are self-made entrepreneurs or millionaires usually have sadder stories, ones that involve eating a lot of cereal in the morning or having sleepless nights trying to get the first dollar or client. And a lot of people are seen posting the same spammy content on social media. The majority of people don’t like to admit it is the life of most entrepreneurs. When I used to hear people say that it takes time to build something, I often scoffed, but it is now that I realize how true that statement is. 

The truth is most of us what things like yesterday and it often doesn’t happen like that. We all know that get-rich-scams don’t work, but it doesn’t change the fact that we want to wake up the next day and be successful. It doesn’t change the fact that we want to leave behind our problems because we all believe for an odd reason that rich people don’t have problems. The reason why many of us don’t progress in life is that we don’t consider time as a factor of success. 

Time teaches you that good things take time

My father always used to tell me that good things take time and I never believed him, either that or I didn’t want to listen to him. I’d roll my eyes at that statement, the older I have gotten I now understand how true it is. Good things take time. Even self-made entrepreneurs had to go through dark days for them to be where they are. The greats had to go through dozens of obstacles in order for them to get to where they are. They had to walk on burning coals. Be fired. Spend months sleeping in their cars or to be at rock bottom.

Time teaches you that often when things come too quickly, they have strings attached. What I mean by this is sometimes what we think we need to be successful isn’t how we imagined it to be. That’s just a fact. It takes a while to understand this or even to accept it. It took me a long time to realize this because when things didn’t happen the way I wanted it to, I thought that my life wouldn’t improve. That I would always remain in the same place I always have been. Stuck in a rut with no way out or trapped like a mouse in a cage.

 When I realized that often you have to be patient enough to keep fighting for what you believe so that you can get to where you want to be. I’m not saying that you won’t achieve success. I’m also not saying you should waste your time because you are waiting for a golden opportunity or that it will take ten years to achieve the level of success you want. Time is relevant to where you want it to be. It depends on where you want to go and what lessons you have to learn along the way.

When you see time as a factor of success then you will understand that good things take time. 

Criticism will either push your or destroy you

On your journey to success. you will come across destructive and constructive criticism. Most of us only understand the context when it doesn’t directly affect us. The thing is most criticism is destructive and most people have no idea that what they’re saying won’t help you at all. If you haven’t developed a thick layer then criticism in all shape and form will destroy you.

When I was younger, I had this insatiable dream of becoming an author at fourteen, I had written my fair share of books so I knew it was possible. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready because I couldn’t take criticism. It took me years to learn more about myself so that I could accept it. Most critics don’t know your story, they have no idea who you are as a person and their opinions aren’t useful. I used to be told that I was awkward and weird. That became part of my identity and it destroyed me. For the longest time, I hid in my shell because of those words. I couldn’t accept that it was their opinion and over the years, whenever anyone would tell me something, it took pieces away from me.

By the time I was willing to fight, it was a long battle to recovery and along the way, I picked up bad habits. I wanted more than anything to forget. Criticism does two things, it will either build you up or tear you are apart. But when you take the time to figure out who you are, dip your toes in the water and evaluate yourself, you will be a lot stronger. 

Criticism tends to destroy us but that is because we don’t understand that time is a factor of success therefore we need to gradually improve. A painter doesn’t become Van Gogh overnight, it takes time. Therefore, it will take time for you to get to where you want to go. That is why time is a factor of success because it takes time to go from novice to professional.

You learn to fight for your future

No one can fight for your future, but you. No one can take those first steps, but you. And no one can force you to do be who you don’t want to be. It took me a while to start fighting for my future. It was when I was lying on my bed, close to taking my life that I realized this was no way to live. A lot of us battle invisible demons and we always run away from it. Facing the problem head-on is the only way you can jump the fence or make it to the end of the road. You have to face your demons head-on.

As scary as that is, you’ll constantly be in denial until life takes too much from you. And believe me, there’ll be a time when life tests and demands a lot out of you. You can either let life string you along or you can start building yourself bit by bit. It is natural to get worn by the effort you are making. You either accept the best or decide you aren’t worth anything. Most of us learn that you accept whatever is given to you. You accept the broken relationships, the forced love stories, and the list goes on because that is what you believe you are worth. 

You have two choices; to accept what comes your way or to look for something better. When I was younger I was taught that girls should kiss a lot of frogs to find their Prince Charming, but the truth is it isn’t what often happens. Most of us stay with frogs and we accept that. It’s because we choose not to fight for what we want in life. We choose not to go for that promotion because we believe we aren’t worth it.  We choose to stay in that negative space, to surround ourselves with people who belittle us because we believe we aren’t worth it. You must fight your battles because if you don’t time will take more from you than you envisioned. 

When you focus on time as a factor of success then you will understand that it will push you to fight for your future.

Also Related: How to Figure Out What You Want Without Losing Your Mind?

Time teaches you that nothing remains the same

Nothing ever remains the same, no matter how much we want it to. That’s why we have to keep growing. Learning new things so that we’re prepared for whatever change comes our way. Though, that never happens. Change is a hard thing to accept, even those who can adapt to hardship struggle. You have to either let things go or to remain in that moment. 

When you understand that nothing remains the same, you understand that success can have its up and down moments. No successful person can continue having a winning streak, they’ll be bad and good moments. Being human means tackling hardships, cherishing the good moments and successes. This kind of discovery takes a while, not as long as you think it does, but you have to understand how important time is.

Without it you can’t grow, achieve the success you want in life. It’s true what they say, people only see 10% of the efforts that you make. 90% is hidden. In the end, it depends on whether you want to push yourself down a road that will bring you more hardships now or be patient with your dreams. 

One of the most invaluable things I learned by seeing time as a factor of success is that nothing remains the same. Some times we forget that. That is why it is important you realize this so you don’t miss out on any golden nuggets. 

 Also Related: 7 Reasons Embracing Change is a Good Thing

What is your main takeaway from this post? Write in the comments section. Would love to know your thoughts on it.

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