We humans tend to fixate on what we can see with our eyes. It is the most animal part of our nature. When we observe the lives of others, we often focus on their apparent success, the fortunate encounters, and the seemingly endless opportunities that appear to come effortlessly. It is easy to envy the good luck that strikes when someone meets someone with all the right connections or secures funding for a project. In essence, we see the visible signs of opportunity and success in our lives, yet we grasp an illusion.
What truly underpins such dramatic changes are the subtle shifts occurring within individuals. The slow accumulation of knowledge and skills, the incremental improvements in work habits, and the resilience to withstand criticism all contribute to the foundation of success. Any alteration in people’s fortunes is merely the visible manifestation of deep preparation cultivated over time. Ignoring this invisible aspect, we risk failing to enact fundamental change within ourselves.
The Illusion of External Success
We live in a world that heavily values visible success. This is the success we see plastered across social media, in the headlines, and how others present themselves to the world. We often see the results of hard work, but the process remains hidden. It’s easy to look at someone’s life—whether it’s their career, wealth, or status—and attribute their success to the external factors visible to us: their connections, the opportunities they had access to, or the fortunate timing of their efforts. This is the surface-level story we are fed. But it’s a misleading one.
External success is, in many ways, an illusion. We are quick to admire the glamorous final product but fail to acknowledge the often mundane journey that led to that moment. What is visible to the outside world—the luxury cars, the big deals, the fame—only represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work, dedication, and overcoming challenges behind the scenes. Those who achieve great things don’t just magically stumble upon success; they build it over time.
The challenge lies in comparing our lives to these outward signs of success. When we see someone succeeding outwardly, we often believe we should be able to replicate that success, ignoring the deeper work that made it possible. However, we miss out on the foundation of real change without understanding the internal processes that make such achievements possible—things like persistence, emotional control, self-discipline, and the ability to learn from failures. This external success, while inspiring, is only a reflection of the internal work that no one sees. We need to focus on that internal aspect instead of chasing after external results that may not have as much substance as we think.
The Internal Foundations of Change
Real change begins with internal transformation. We often overlook how crucial it is to change from within, especially when we’re distracted by the success stories we see around us. The most important part of any transformation is what happens beneath the surface—the growth of knowledge, the refinement of character, and the adjustment of one’s mindset. This is the foundation for all real success.
Consider how an athlete prepares for a competition. The external victory—standing on the podium with a gold medal—is the visible outcome of months or even years of training, sacrifice, and fine-tuning their skills. Yet, the true transformation occurs not on the podium but in the hours spent practicing, improving, and strengthening their resolve. Internal change requires a similar commitment. It requires working on yourself daily, even when the results aren’t immediately apparent.
The internal work is often slow and invisible, but it is essential. If you focus on developing knowledge, refining your habits, or building resilience, you are laying the groundwork for any external success you wish to achieve. Internal change happens gradually and requires patience. It’s about building mental and emotional muscle that will support you through external challenges. Without a strong internal foundation, any external success you achieve will likely be short-lived. Internal growth is a process that demands time, commitment, and the willingness to learn from setbacks.
The internal changes you make are not always glamorous and often don’t come with immediate rewards. But, just like the athlete who trains tirelessly behind closed doors, your internal work will eventually shine through in tangible success. Focusing on what you can change internally will set the stage for a dramatic transformation in your life.
The Danger of Quick Fixes
In a world that celebrates instant results, it’s easy to fall into the trap of quick fixes. We all want change now. We want the shortcut to success, the magic formula that will deliver fast results. Social media amplifies this desire, constantly showcasing quick success stories or people who seem to have it all together. It’s tempting to think you can follow the same path and experience the same outcomes. But this thinking is dangerous. Quick fixes often promise results without any real effort, and while they may provide temporary relief or a sense of achievement, they rarely deliver lasting change.
The problem with quick fixes is that they bypass the essential process of internal transformation. True change requires deliberate, consistent effort over time. It requires patience, learning, and growing through challenges. Shortcuts may temporarily boost you, but they don’t build the internal resilience or knowledge needed for sustained success. They might lead to quick wins, but they don’t prepare you for the inevitable obstacles that will arise on your journey.
Quick fixes often lead us to overlook the deeper lessons we need to learn to grow. Instead of developing critical thinking or building perseverance, we become accustomed to instant gratification. This sets us up for failure because when the inevitable challenges arise, we won’t have the mental or emotional resilience to overcome them. We’ll fall back into the cycle of seeking external solutions, never addressing the deeper internal changes required.
Instead of chasing after quick fixes, focusing on steady, incremental improvement is crucial. Embrace the process, however long it may take. Invest in building your character and acquiring the skills and habits that will allow you to sustain success in the long term. Quick fixes might provide a temporary high, but slow, persistent work leads to true, lasting transformation.
The Liberation of Inner Change
When you begin focusing on inner change, you liberate yourself from the societal pressures and external expectations that often define success. We live in a world where external validation is the measure of worth. Social media, consumer culture, and traditional success metrics like wealth or status are all external achievement measures. But these external standards are not only fleeting—they can also be incredibly limiting.
Internal change is liberating because it shifts the focus away from pleasing others or meeting societal expectations and places it squarely on your personal growth. When you begin to measure your progress by how much you’ve grown as a person—how much you’ve improved your character, work ethic, or emotional resilience—you step into a space where external factors no longer have the power to define your worth. This shift gives you autonomy over your life. You stop chasing other people’s goals and start building your path.
This internal transformation also leads to emotional freedom. When your value isn’t tied to the approval of others, you are free to pursue what truly matters to you. You can act with authenticity, knowing that your worth comes from within. External success becomes less important when you realize that your internal growth is the real measure of your achievement. The satisfaction of knowing you’re becoming the person you want to be will far outweigh any external recognition you could receive.
Furthermore, internal change equips you with resilience. When your self-worth is rooted in your internal transformation, you develop the ability to withstand the inevitable failures and challenges that come with pursuing meaningful goals. External circumstances—like setbacks, criticism, or failure—become less threatening because you know that your worth is not contingent upon them. This creates a strong foundation from which you can face any obstacle and continue on your path to growth.
What Would You Work On If No One Was Looking?
The question, “What would you work on if no one was looking?” is profound. It challenges you to reflect on what truly matters without external reward or validation. Most people operate under the assumption that their efforts are only valuable when they are seen or acknowledged by others. Many prioritize outward achievements over internal growth, such as climbing the corporate ladder or garnering social media followers. But this question cuts through the noise and asks you to focus on what truly resonates with you on a deeper level.
When you stop worrying about being watched, you begin to work for the sake of the work itself. You focus on what genuinely drives you—mastering a skill, developing your knowledge, or improving your mindset. This intrinsic motivation is far more powerful and sustainable than external recognition because it comes from a place of authenticity. You would do it even if no one else noticed or applauded.
The power of this question is that it helps you realign with your true desires rather than following external expectations. It encourages you to think about your values and personal journey, not just the goals of society or others. You understand what you truly want to achieve by reconnecting with your deeper motivations. This clarity helps you focus on the internal growth process rather than the external results. It’s about becoming the person you want to be, not just achieving things recognized by others.
Asking yourself this question regularly can help you stay grounded in your mission. It allows you to measure your success by the growth you experience, not just the accolades or external rewards you receive. This shifts the focus from the outcome to the journey, making the process itself much more meaningful.
Embrace the Process, Not the Outcome
In a culture that glorifies instant results, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of the process. But the process, not the outcome, shapes who we are and determines how much we grow. Focusing solely on the end goal can lead to frustration, impatience, and the urge to quit when things don’t go as planned. But when you learn to embrace the process, you enjoy the journey and appreciate the small steps that lead to big changes.
The process is often where the real growth happens. It’s about building habits, developing discipline, learning from mistakes, and continually improving. Every day you commit to working on yourself is a step closer to the desired transformation. When you focus on the process, you stop worrying about when the results will come. You focus on what you can do today to improve, knowing that, over time, those small efforts will compound into something meaningful.
Furthermore, embracing the process helps you develop resilience. When you become attached to the outcome, you may feel discouraged or disheartened if things don’t go as planned. But when you focus on the process, you learn to appreciate the effort itself and find fulfillment in the progress you make each day. This mindset shift can make all the difference in your journey toward lasting change.
Ultimately, the key to success is not rushing toward the end goal but committing to the process with patience, consistency, and self-compassion. The outcome will naturally follow when you focus on the steps that lead to your transformation. But more importantly, the journey will become a source of personal fulfillment, growth, and joy.
Personal Reflection: Change Yourself from Within, Little by Little
Daily Law: What would you work on if no one was looking? If money were no object?
TED Talk, “The Key to Transforming Yourself,” October 23, 2013
In yesterday’s reflection on the daily laws “Combine Your Fascinations,” I touched upon societal expectations and success metrics. We attach ourselves to conventional notions of careers because that is what we are taught to do. We define our success by what others value, like more money, promotions, big houses, fancy cars, etc.
We start running on the hedonic treadmill and blindly indulge in a rat race. We don’t think about what truly makes us happy, what satisfies us, and what we value. I have seen many cases where people become unhappy, disengaged, and dissatisfied with their work after some time.
Whenever I think about building a passion for my work or interacting with disengaged professionals, one of the first questions I ask is if they would be willing to do this work for free. Whenever I hear someone doing their job because it pays well, I ask them if they would do the same if money weren’t an issue. In both cases, the answer is no.
I love to write, and I want to make others happy. If money wasn’t an issue, I would work on writing books, telling stories, and going on stage to perform as much as I could. I would learn to dance, express myself, and share my gift with the world. I would spend more time reading books and engaging in meaningful discussions with other deep thinkers.
I would ponder philosophical questions and try to understand human behavior. I do all the things I describe above even today, but I would do them even more. I would travel the world because there is so much to explore outside, which would further help me explore the world within.
Conclusion: The Journey Inward
Change is a multifaceted journey that begins not with a grand gesture but with the humble acknowledgment of our internal state. It is about nurturing a mindset that prioritizes growth over appearance and progress over perfection. By committing to this inward journey, we can transcend the limitations imposed by external pressures and expectations.
Ultimately, the path to genuine transformation lies in embracing the small, incremental changes that lead to profound and lasting impact. The reality we cultivate within ourselves will reflect in the world around us, empowering us to shape our destinies in ways we never thought possible.
This article is a part of the Reflections on The Daily Laws Series based on Robert Greene’s book.