In partnership with
But that belief is not only false, it’s dangerous.
Because behind every “overnight success story,” especially in the AI era, are years of invisible work, unglamorous attempts, private frustrations, and slow mastery that no algorithm, no tool, and no shortcut can replace.
Today’s newsletter pulls back the curtain.
Let’s discuss what really creates success and why AI doesn’t eliminate the journey… it simply amplifies the creator who already put in the work.
The Illusion of Instant Results
AI tools are incredible.
They help you write faster, design faster, think faster, create faster.
But they also distort your expectations.
When you see:
creators posting daily
polished visuals everywhere
endless content ideas
rapid growth screenshots
“viral in 24 hours” stories
…it’s easy to think:
“I should be growing faster too.”
But here’s the truth the internet hides:
AI can speed up creation but it cannot speed up mastery.
It cannot:
develop your voice
refine your judgment
sharpen your taste
deepen your experience
build your resilience
strengthen your narrative
Those things still take time.
AI accelerates output, not identity.
People love to celebrate the moment someone blows up but not the years that came before it.
Every seemingly instant rise is built on invisible layers:
1. Years of learning skills that now look effortless
Writing, designing, thinking, storytelling, these don’t appear overnight.
2. Months of posting into silence
Everyone goes through the quiet stage, the part no one screenshots.
3. Failed ideas that never made it to the timeline
No creator only publishes their best work.
4. Emotional resilience built through trial and error
You cannot automate grit.
5. Repetition, refinement, and evolution
Success is rarely about the first idea, it’s about the tenth version of it.
AI hides these layers because the final product looks polished.
But the journey behind it is as human as ever.
Ad Break!
Check out my sponsor today. These partnerships help me keep writing for you. ❤️
Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays
Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.
Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.
… Now, let’s get back to our topic 👇
Why Instant Success Would Actually Hurt You
It sounds strange, but it’s true:
If growth happened instantly, most creators would crash.
Why?
Because they wouldn’t have:
the foundation to sustain it
the clarity to handle it
the voice to lead it
the discipline to maintain it
the emotional stability to carry it
Slow growth is not a punishment, it’s preparation.
Without the slow seasons, you’d never build the tools required for longevity.
Real Growth in the AI Era Still Follows Human Timing
AI can do many things…
but it cannot accelerate personal evolution.
You still need:
time to build confidence
time to learn your style
time to understand your audience
time to sharpen your message
time to become someone worth following
Success isn't a switch.
It's a timeline and everyone’s timeline is different.
AI doesn’t eliminate that.
It simply helps you move through it with more ease and less friction.
So What Actually Creates Success in 2025 and Beyond?
Here’s what doesn’t change, even with the best tools:
1. Consistency
You cannot automate presence.
2. Taste
AI produces average ideas unless your taste elevates them.
3. Voice
AI cannot give you a soul. Only you can.
4. Adaptability
You still have to show up, evolve, adjust, learn.
5. Narrative
People follow stories, not shortcuts.
6. Emotional intelligence
Connection is the real currency now.
These are the qualities that build creators who last.
Quick detour:
Here’s a newsletter you might like, check it out 👇
… Back to topic 👇
Practical Advice to Escape the “Overnight Success” Trap
1. Stop comparing your Chapter 1 to someone’s Chapter 20
Especially when AI makes their chapter look like a blockbuster.
2. Focus on systems, not speed
Daily routines > sporadic bursts of pressure.
3. Post to learn, not just to grow
Each post is a data point, not a verdict.
4. Document your journey
People love creators who evolve publicly.
5. Celebrate the invisible work
A good draft, a better idea, a clearer thought - these are real wins.
6. Use AI as leverage, not an identity
Tools help you express yourself - they don’t replace you.
The Truth Nobody Wants to Hear
If AI truly made success instant…
everyone would be successful.
But look around.
Most people still give up.
Most people still hesitate.
Most people still doubt themselves.
Most people still struggle to stay consistent.
Why?
Because success has never been about tools.
It’s always been about the person who uses them.
You are still the differentiator.
Your humanity is still the value.
Your journey is still the story worth following.
And no one can speed that up but you. Always remember that.
Well, that’s all for today. See you in the next one.
Wait… before I let you go, a final reminder:
If something resonated or raised a question, reply directly, I always appreciate hearing from you.
Karata♡
