From eggs to steaks to babies

Many people today are impatient. And I mean chronically, dangerously, economically impatient.

“These young talents are bright,” one client said, “but give them two years, and they’re already wondering why they’re not CEO yet!”

Content creators post five videos and then ask, “Where are the sponsors?!” Entrepreneurs launch with a business name, an Instagram page, and one post — then frown when millions don’t roll in by Friday.

Let’s call it what it is: Hustle in a hurry.

But here’s the catch: not everything responds to urgency. And in business, some of the most critical results happen on time, not on demand.

Many young people are foodies these days. I will call this a recipe for reality:

An egg needs four minutes to boil.

A good piece of beef? That’ll take you six hours low and slow if you want it tender and edible — not rubber masquerading as food.

A baby needs nine months to be born.

Now apply that to your work life:

You can’t force a promotion that your character hasn’t caught up to.

You can’t rush followers to trust you enough to buy what you’re selling.

You can’t expect investors to back a business you haven’t tested in fire, failure, and feedback.

I’ve been in business long enough to know that shortcuts often lead to cut returns. And while shortcuts save time now, they cost you results. Speeding through the steps usually slows down your success. Rush the recipe, and you’ll end up serving half-baked success.

We didn’t build our reputation overnight. We didn’t stumble upon our success on a weekend retreat. It took us years of showing up, making mistakes, saving up, and growing up to get to where we are today.

All those “life hacks,” “work hacks,” and “success-in-7-minutes” hacks from TikTokers and YouTubers? They’re just dressed-up shortcuts selling speed and delivering stress.

Beware of any hack that promises success faster than a cup of instant noodles. At least noodles come with instructions. Life hacks? More like life traps. If success came that easy, we’d all be billionaires by breakfast.

The real struggle is internal, not external (the market, the algorithm, the economy).

It’s the voice in your head that says, “This should be faster.”

It’s the fear that whispers, “Others are ahead of you.”

It’s the insecurity that asks, “Why aren’t you rich yet?”

To which I say: Patience isn’t just a virtue. It’s a business strategy.

People ask how I’ve built a solid following on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn — plain text posts, no boosting, yet strong engagement. Simple: I show up daily, deliver value, and let the results build over time. What I did for my craft, I now do for social media.

I’m not chasing traffic; I’m building trust. And that takes consistency, not shortcuts. That’s the same principle I’m applying to my YouTube and TikTok channels now.

I’m not in a rush to go viral or monetize my content. My goal isn’t just traffic, it’s trust. My strategy isn’t speed. It’s consistency. And my goal is not what all these can do for me, but how I can serve those who would invest their time with me. When you consistently deliver value over time, people will show up and stay. Patience is a business strategy.

In investing, patience grows compound interest.

In branding, patience builds trust.

In leadership, patience earns loyalty.

In marketing, patience refines message clarity.

The most successful people I know all have one thing in common: They’re unshakably focused on the long game. They plan for years but work with daily discipline. They don’t panic over slow days because they know seeds don’t shout when they start sprouting.

I want to suggest the following:

1. Time your expectations.

Set realistic timeframes for success — think not “in the next 12–24 months,” not “by next week”

2. Measure consistency, not speed.

Ask, “Did I show up today?” not “Did I win today?” Did I ship out excellent work?

3. Celebrate small wins.

Every follower, sale, feedback comment, or skill learned is a step forward.

4. Build mental stamina.

Read biographies of those who made it and note how long it took, not just what they achieved.

5. Ask long questions.

Do not ask, “What can I do for quick success?” Ask, “What can I build that matters five years from now?”

Success isn’t “Next-day delivery,” and it shouldn’t. What comes fast often leaves faster.

Hustle hard. Post that content. Build that business. Ask for that raise. But do it with the wisdom to know that boiled eggs are great for breakfast — yet life, leadership, and legacy? They’re slow-cooked meals.

Wait well. Work consistently. Trust the process. That’s the real fast track.

Catch Kongversations with Francis on YouTube and all major podcast platforms—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Plus, listen to Inspiring Excellence wherever you stream.