There Are No Shortcuts to Sustainable Success
In business—and in life—we love breakthroughs. We celebrate sudden wins, rapid growth, and stories that seem to skip the hard parts. But behind most lasting success is a truth we don’t always want to hear: there are little to no shortcuts.
Recently, I was talking with a young entrepreneur who had experienced remarkable breakthroughs in a short period of time. He had been set free from addiction, launched his own business, and witnessed what can only be described as miracles. His life was moving forward quickly, and understandably, he wanted to keep that momentum going.
As we talked, he asked me a question I hear more and more these days: “How can I get ten steps further in the shortest amount of time instead of focusing on just the next step?”
My response was simple and direct: “There are no shortcuts.”
The Temptation to Skip the Process
We live in a culture that rewards speed. Overnight success stories, viral growth, and “life hacks” promise to get us further, faster. In business, this often shows up as a desire to bypass learning curves, avoid hard conversations, or leapfrog seasons of formation.
But skipping steps comes at a cost.
When we rush to the destination without honoring the journey, we often arrive unprepared to stay there. Growth that outpaces formation creates instability. Expansion without discipline eventually collapses under its own weight.
Formation is not wasted time—it is essential preparation.
Why the Process Matters
The process builds what shortcuts cannot:
Discipline to show up when results aren’t immediate
Wisdom earned through experience, not theory
Systems that support growth instead of reacting to it
Character that can handle success without being derailed by it
Sustainable success is rarely given; it is learned. It is shaped over time through repetition, faithfulness, and obedience in the small things.
In business, this means resisting the urge to chase quick wins that compromise long-term health. It means building teams slowly, making thoughtful decisions, and allowing competence and credibility to grow together.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Consistent little steps may not feel impressive, but they are powerful. Taken together, they move you exactly where you need to go—equipped with the skills, systems, and character required to remain there.
The next step matters more than the tenth step you’re imagining.
When we focus on the next faithful action—serving customers well, stewarding resources wisely, leading with integrity—we are being formed along the way. That formation becomes the foundation for everything that follows.
A Kingdom Perspective on Shortcuts
Jesus warned us about the danger of shortcut thinking long before it showed up in business culture:
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”
— Matthew 7:13–14 (The Message)
The narrow road requires patience, focus, and perseverance—but it leads to life. The same principle applies in the marketplace. The path that forms us is often slower, quieter, and harder, but it produces fruit that lasts.
Choose Formation Over Speed
If you’re in a season where progress feels slower than you hoped, don’t be discouraged. You may not be stuck—you may be being formed.
There are no shortcuts to success that lasts. And that’s good news. Because when success comes through faithful process, you’re not just ready to reach it—you’re ready to sustain it.
Take the next step. Trust the process. Let formation do its work.