Why You Don’t Need to Rush Your Success

Hi there, welcome to Work Wise! My name’s Octavia Goredema.

I’m the CEO of Fire Memos , the author of Prep, Push, Pivot and the host of the Audible Original series How To Change Careers .

Every week I share insights and actionable steps to help you do your best work and achieve your career goals.

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Success isn’t about how fast you get there, but it can be super easy to forget that.

As you scroll through LinkedIn, another post pops up with someone you know celebrating something major. The former manager you never liked just got a huge promotion, that friend from college who moved overseas looks like they’re living the dream, or maybe one of your peers has been asked to speak at a prestigious event.

Meanwhile, you’re wondering if you’re even moving in the right direction. If you’re not quite where you want to be, other people’s momentum can be motivating. But there are also times when it may make you seriously question your own progress.

But here’s the truth. There’s zero reason to rush your success. No one is paying attention to where you started and no one else knows where you’re headed. What you choose to pursue and how you pursue it is unique to you.

But if you feel stuck, or like you’re stalling, having perspective is tough. You want to move faster. You want to have cool moments to celebrate, publicly or privately. But right now, they may feel a long way off.

So today, I want to help you shift your focus to your growth instead of getting caught up in comparisons.

Embrace Your Own Timeline

Imagine you’re doing a hike. Someone may want to sprint ahead, eager to reach the end of the trail as quickly as possible. They’ve done this route before and want to move on quickly. While another person might be doing this hike for the first time. They take a slower pace, stopping to admire the view, review their map, and figure out which way to go next. Both paths are moving in a similar direction, but the experience is very different.

The same goes for your career. You don’t have to match the pace of those around you. While it might seem like others are “winning” faster, remember that speed isn’t everything. There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for success.

Focus on Your Own Growth, Not the Noise

One of the biggest mistakes we make is dismissing our own progress because it doesn’t look like someone else’s. We downplay our wins, thinking they aren’t “big enough” or “impressive enough.” But the truth is every achievement you make while you’re working, big or small, deserves recognition.

This is why we built?Fire Memos . We want to make it easier for you to capture the moments that matter in between the major milestones, and have space to self-validate your progress.

Think of your career as a jigsaw puzzle. Every piece matters. Just because you don’t see the full picture yet doesn’t mean it isn’t coming together. Celebrate the small wins such as completing a challenging task, solving a tricky problem, receiving a kind word from a colleague. These moments add up, and they’re all part of your growth story.

Reframe “Stalling” as an Opportunity to Reassess

When you feel like you’re stalling, it’s easy to spiral into negative self-talk: “Why am I not moving forward? What am I doing wrong?” But what if, instead, you viewed this as an opportunity?

Periods of slower growth aren’t necessarily bad. They can be a chance to reassess, learn, and pivot if needed. Reflect on where you’ve been and where you want to go. Are you still aligned with your goals? Are there new skills you’d like to develop or areas you’d like to explore? These moments can be invaluable for recalibrating your direction.

It’s tempting to rush toward success, especially in a world that glorifies quick wins and overnight achievements. But meaningful growth often happens slowly, and that’s okay. Remember, your career is a marathon, not a sprint.

Trust that you are where you need to be right now. You might not see the full path ahead, but every step you take, every experience, every challenge, every small win, is moving you forward. Stay focused on your growth, trust your journey, and take pride in the progress you’re making. Success isn’t about how quickly you get there, it’s about the journey and the person you become along the way.

-Octavia

How do you avoid getting caught up in comparisons? I read and respond to every single comment, so if you have an insight to share, or a question for me, let me know below.

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