Success Is a Journey, Not a Destination:

How to keep going when doubt creeps in is no easy task. And in all honesty, it’s not uncommon to feel like you’re falling short of your expectations. Maybe you had a vision of your life or career that feels frustratingly out of reach. Maybe you’ve hit a plateau and wonder if this is all there is. If you’re feeling like you’re not as successful or talented as you thought you were, know that you are not alone. These thoughts don’t define you; they’re just part of the journey.

Let us also add that another person’s lack of desire to have you do what you do, is no reflection of you. The world is a crazy place right now, that doesn’t however mean give up. Maybe though, you hit the pause button. Or instead of living that part of life at 2x speed, you throttle down and coast for a while.

Fall in love with that talent again. Fall in love with the process. The details. The outcome.

Let me give you a quick story. On 6/6/06 I was on a training ride, as a former professional cyclist, I had this desire to jump back in at that high level once again. Training day after day, hour after hour. I was pedaling down the street, traveling at a speed somewhere between 24-28 mph. Then it happened. I blacked out while riding. Going over the bars, my bike flipping and coming to a stop about 15-20 feet further down the road. I lay unconscious in the road. No helmet on. Head first into the pavement. I end up a John Doe in the trauma center. Fast forward about 4-6 weeks. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t ride. There were so many unknowns. I would try and try again. But success was definitely no longer there and talent, heck, I felt like I couldn’t even ride a bike.

Okay, this is getting longer than I planned.

Anyway, I sold all my bikes (and there were a lot) and I purchase a single speed hard tail mountain bike. No gears, no high tech stuff. Me and the bike and the woods. Slowly I just began to go pedal. For no reason other than the love of what it means to ride.

What I’m saying is that love is more important than anything. Love for the things we do. Passion to guide us. And when passion takes over, excitement comes back. Plus, what defines success anyway? No one else can define it for you, that’s for sure.

So, let’s deep dive.

Redefine What Success Means to You

We often tie our self-worth to external markers of success—titles, earnings, recognition, and god forbid - likes on social media. True success though isn’t always a trophy; it’s the process of striving toward something meaningful.

Ask yourself: Why did I start this journey? What fuels my passion?

Reflect on smaller victories that demonstrate growth, not just outcomes.

Remember, success is personal, and comparing your journey to someone else’s highlights reel is unfair. Focus on what fulfills you, not just what looks good from the outside or the financial gains over doing what you’re doing.

Recognize the Talent You Already Have

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, If I were really talented, this wouldn’t be so hard. If I were really talented, I would be making $X.

Talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Even the most gifted individuals put in thousands of hours of work to hone their craft. For what, to have someone else like their outcome, or not?

Make a list of your unique strengths and achievements. Don’t hold back—own your wins.

Seek feedback from trusted mentors or peers who can remind you of the skills and qualities you bring to the table.

Sometimes, it’s not that you’re not talented—it’s that you’re too close to your own brilliance to see it clearly.

Acknowledge the Power of Persistence

The path to success is rarely a straight line. It’s filled with detours, setbacks, and moments of doubt. What separates those who succeed from those who give up is persistence. With that, if you’re going to hit the pause button or slow down. Keep doing what you’re doing on your time and let that love of it determine the energy you put in.

Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities. Instead of asking, Why did this happen? ask, What can I learn from this?

Keep showing up. Every day you spend working toward your goal brings you one step closer to your breakthrough moment.

The “overnight success” you admire in others is often the result of years—sometimes decades—of unseen effort.

Okay, here’s another story, I’ll try to keep this one shorter.

I lived in a small town, I traveled to capture weddings (as a wedding photographer), weekend after weekend I would do what I do.

Two people local to town began to ask me questions about how I do it etc. Shortly after they “became” wedding photographers. That lasted about 8 months. At different times when paths crossed, both of them, in their own words said “You make it look easier than it is”… I won’t lie, inside I was like, “no shit”. On the outside we talked about the real struggles and how long it took to get there.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Feeling like you’re not “enough” is often rooted in a fixed mindset—the belief that your abilities are static and unchangeable. A growth mindset reminds you that talent and success are cultivated through effort and learning.

Focus on progress, not perfection.

Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow, not proof of your limitations.

You are capable of more than you think, and every obstacle is a chance to expand your skills and resilience.

Celebrate Small Wins

In the pursuit of big dreams, it’s easy to overlook the small victories that pave the way. Celebrate the steps you’ve taken, no matter how small they seem.

Keep a journal of daily or weekly accomplishments.

Share your progress with a supportive friend or community who can cheer you on.

Every step forward matters. Success is a series of small wins that add up over time.

Trust the Process

It’s tempting to think that success is a destination you’ll arrive at one day. But in reality, it’s an ongoing journey of growth, effort, and discovery.

Remind yourself of how far you’ve already come.

Stay open to unexpected opportunities that might shift your path in exciting ways.

Success isn’t about never feeling doubt—it’s about choosing to move forward anyway. Your persistence, dedication, and belief in your own potential will carry you through.

A Final Thought - You’re Closer Than You Think

The feeling of doubt is often a sign that you’re on the brink of something great. It means you care deeply about your work and have the self-awareness to recognize where you want to grow. That’s a powerful place to be.

So, if you’re feeling stuck or inadequate, take a deep breath and remind yourself: You are talented, and success is built on hard work, resilience, and never giving up. The big break you’re hoping for might be just around the corner— Keep going, at the pace which is right for you in this moment. You’ve got this.

Realign, reset, and grow.

Check This Beast Out

PORSCHE X LUCA TRAZZI SONDERWUNSCH 911 DAKAR

The production run of the Porsche 911 Dakar has officially concluded after 2,500 units. The final model is a bespoke Sonderwunsch creation, featuring a unique livery inspired by the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally winner. Its striking Signalyellow and Gentianbluemetallic color scheme is accented by a painted Lampedusablue stripe that traces the body lines and wheel arches, perfectly complementing the Rallye Design Package. The Signalyellow wheels, adorned with a Lampedusablue outer stripe, seamlessly tie into the car’s bold aesthetic.

Inside, the cabin showcases a dynamic yellow and black theme, highlighted by yellow contrast stitching, trim accents, and exclusive 911 Dakar lettering. Adding to the special touches, the Sonderwunsch logo is projected onto the ground whenever the doors are opened.

This final Porsche 911 Dakar will be displayed at the Porsche Museum before it is handed over to its new owner.

Before we go…

Remember that you grow strong within the challenges you choose!

Climbing mountains offers little in the way of practical necessity or financial reward, yet countless people willingly take on the challenge—and on some mountains, they often pay substantial sums to do so.

This is because the value of a challenge lies not just in reaching the goal but in the experience of striving toward it. The true rewards of climbing a mountain go far beyond standing at its summit.

Challenges captivate us, even when they’re not grand or adventurous. For instance, the global market for puzzles and logic games is worth an estimated $12 billion, reflecting our innate draw to tests of skill and intellect.

Life inevitably presents challenges you don’t choose, but by embracing challenges you do choose, you can prepare yourself for the unexpected. Choosing to take on a challenge builds confidence from the outset, and overcoming it reinforces that confidence even further.

The challenges you embrace shape your skills, resourcefulness, sense of purpose, and more. By consistently challenging yourself, you cultivate strength, resilience, effectiveness, and wisdom—qualities that enrich every aspect of your life.