No Shortcuts: The Journey Is the Reward

In 2012, I made a decision that would ultimately change my life forever—I began learning web development.

At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of that choice, but deep down, I had a strong conviction that it would make a difference in my life, especially financially. I was desperate for a change, and this felt like the right step forward.

Starting this journey wasn’t easy. My only teacher and companion was the internet. I taught myself everything from scratch, relying solely on online resources to access the knowledge others had shared.

Web development was an entirely new world to me, and I faced significant mental struggles trying to understand the basics of HTML and CSS. Fortunately, I already knew my way around a computer and understood how to research effectively, which gave me a foundation to build on.

There was a particular moment during this journey that I’ll never forget—a turning point that tested my resolve. I was learning the CSS Box Model, and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. It felt like an insurmountable mental block.

For a week straight, I was stuck, frustrated, and completely unmotivated. I questioned myself constantly. Should I quit and try something else? Or should I push through this and find a way forward?

That week was one of the toughest periods of my life. I felt defeated, tired, and on the verge of giving up. But then something shifted. I made a decision—a decision that changed everything. I chose to keep going.

I decided to face the challenge head-on and find a way to break through the blockage. And when I did, everything began to fall into place.

That breakthrough wasn’t just about understanding the CSS Box Model; it was about proving to myself that I could overcome any challenge if I refused to give up.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had chosen to quit. I’ve learned that the most significant breakthroughs often come right after the hardest struggles. Many of us find ourselves at similar crossroads, unsure whether to keep pushing forward or turn back.

Let me be clear: life does not offer shortcuts.

None. Zip.

Everything worth achieving demands effort, persistence, and sacrifice. Funny enough, this is a lesson we all know deep down but often choose to ignore. Why? Because we want things to be easy.

But the truth is, if you want something meaningful, you need to be willing to endure the process—and that process is often long, gruelling, and filled with challenges.

Think about your goals for a moment. Whether you aspire to build a successful business, pursue a fulfilling career, improve your health, or master a skill, there is always a cost involved. Not just in terms of time or money, but in discipline, dedication, and resilience. Yet so many people fail to achieve their dreams, not because they lack talent or opportunity, but because they give up when things get hard. They stumble upon a roadblock and think, Maybe this isn’t for me. They start looking for shortcuts, hoping for a faster, easier way to get what they want.

But here’s the thing: those shortcuts you’re searching for? They don’t exist. And even if they did, they wouldn’t give you the growth, the wisdom, or the fulfilment that comes from truly earning your success.

Challenges Are Temporary, Growth Is Forever

Let’s be real: challenges are a part of life. Roadblocks and failures aren’t signs to stop; they’re tests to see how badly you want what you’re chasing—this is how the universe works.

Life doesn’t give you what you WISH for but what you FIGHT for—Anonymous.

Too often, people see an obstacle and assume it’s the end of the line.

But let me ask you this:

• If you’re not willing to fight for your dreams, who will?
• If you give up at the first sign of struggle, how will you ever know your true potential?

Every successful person you admire—whether they’re a business leader, athlete, artist, or entrepreneur—has faced failure. They have likely encountered failure more often than they would like to acknowledge. The difference is, they didn’t quit. They understood that these moments of hardship weren’t permanent. They kept going. They embraced the process.

And that’s the key: the process is where the magic happens. It’s during this process that you learn, grow, and develop the strength necessary to achieve your dreams.

When you skip the struggle, you skip the growth. You rob yourself of the very experiences that make success worthwhile.

Embrace the Process

So, stop looking for shortcuts. Stop trying to skip steps. Instead, focus on doing the work, day in and day out. Trust me, it won’t always be glamorous or fun. Some days, it will feel like you’re making no progress at all. But if you stay consistent, if you keep showing up even when it’s hard, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

You have everything you need to achieve your dreams—you just need the mental grit to see it through.

And here’s a little secret:

Every time you push through a challenge, you get stronger. Every failure you face makes you wiser. Every time you refuse to give up, you get closer to the life you’ve always wanted.

If you’re currently in that stage of your life, remember that while the journey may be challenging, giving up will never lead to the success you desire. Keep going, even when it’s hard. Trust the process, and remember that every challenge you overcome is a step closer to your goals.

So don’t let temporary setbacks discourage you. Don’t waste time looking for shortcuts that don’t exist. Instead, embrace the process. Put in the work. And when you finally achieve your goals, you’ll know you’ve earned every bit of it.

—Destiny