The Truth About Success Timelines

“It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.” (Lionel Messi)

I always need reminders that there is no timeline for success and reaching your goals. These reminders drown out in the noise of Silicon Valley where I live. In Silicon Valley it’s all about the instant and the now. If you don’t have success or reach your goals instantly then you’re a failure and will never succeed.

As crazy as it sounds, Sabrina Carpenter serves as a reminder to me that there is no timeline on dreams. Carpenter started in show business in 2008 but it wasn’t until 2023/2024 that she sky-rocketed into stardom. Before she was a mega popstar, her worked mostly focused on Disney projects and she also released multiple albums. Eventually, after over 10 years of working hard she finds herself center stage at Coachella in 2026.

I have seen many people online who criticize Carpenter as a failure because it took her over 10 years to achieve commercial success. I, on the other hand, see it as a positive thing that she didn’t achieve “overnight” success. Here is why Carpenter’s 10-year journey to fame is important:

Highlights the lies society tells us about success timelines. Who said that success only matters if it is achieved fast and when you’re young? Why has this lie dominated society for decades? Success usually takes time and it is open to ALL AGES. It literally doesn’t matter how old you are when you achieve your goals and dreams. Don’t fall for society’s lies of fast and young success.

Reminder that good things take time. Anything that is going to be of great quality and value usually takes time to build, but in the end, it will be worth it because it will usually last longer. Sure, you can achieve something relatively fast, but most likely it will be short lived. What would you rather have: something of the great quality and lasts or something that is achieved fast but doesn’t last? I started this blog with a quote from Messi as a reminder that there is no such thing as an overnight success.

A long journey to your goals is not a waste of time. It might be frustrating that it is taking some time to reach your goals, but the journey is not wasted. You are growing, as a person and a professional, as well as gaining skills and insights that will help reach the finish line. All of the things you develop and learn on the journey will not only help you achieve your goals but keep that success. If you achieved everything so quick and easy, what development would take place? Remember, “calm seas don’t make good sailors”. It is through trial and error that we develop and grow. Through this growth we will be able to adapt and learn to achieve the goals and be able to steward our success better. Carpenter has built a formidable brand that is recognizable and known for quality production. I’m sure that her now success is based in all the lessons and skills she learned on the way to stardom.

Always remember you are NOT behind. It is so hard not to compare yourself with others. Social media loves to push us to compare with others in terms of where we are in our careers, life etc. But we can’t compare ourselves to others because we are all on different journeys. I know it is easier said than done since I have a hard time NOT comparing myself with others, especially when it comes to career. But your journey is unique to you and only works for you; the journeys of others will not work for you. Carpenter is not behind-she has achieved her dreams, so she is right on time.

So again, just because it took Sabrina Carpenter over 10 years to achieve her stardom does not make her a failure, rather, I would argue that it is because of the length of her journey that made it possible for her to reach her success and keep it year over year. Whenever I think of Sabrina Carpenter, I remind myself that I am on my own timeline and my time will come eventually. I now hope you think like that going forward.

In the comments share a time it took you a while to reach a goal. What did you learn along the way?