I spent nine months flyering, posting on social media, and having endless conversations before my personal training business really took off. It was frustrating to see others seemingly succeed overnight while I felt like I was grinding with little to show for it.
Even now, I catch myself thinking, What are they doing that’s making them grow so fast? What am I missing? Social media makes it even harder not to compare—everywhere you look, someone’s celebrating their latest win.
But I’ve learned that this kind of thinking keeps you second-guessing, jumping from one strategy to the next, and feeling like you’re always behind. Instead, I remind myself why playing the long game in business is what really pays off. That’s what allows the frustration to disappear (and it stops me from bouncing from strategy to strategy!).
Some businesses do grow fast, but for many, it’s slower. And that’s not a bad thing. When you commit to long-term success, you build the muscle of consistency. Stop looking for shortcuts, commit to the process, and build something that lasts.
The Problem: Why Most People Struggle With the Long Game
We live in a world where instant gratification is normal. Patience feels like a thing of the past. You’ve probably seen it with your clients—they want to lose weight or get stronger now. They scroll through social media and see someone who seems to have transformed overnight, claiming it was all thanks to a magic drink or a “one simple trick.” And suddenly, they start questioning why their own progress isn’t happening as fast.
I remember coaching weight loss with couples. The man always lost more weight than the woman. She was fuming—especially because she was putting in more effort than him. It felt unfair. Some weeks, she got the results she hoped for. Other weeks, she didn’t. It was an emotional roller coaster; they’d get frustrated and they’d look for a new approach.
“This clearly isn’t working for me—I need to try this diet instead.”
“Maybe I need a different gym or personal trainer.”
But we know that’s not how real progress works. The body needs time to adapt. Strength takes time to build. The key component is consistency. Small adjustments. Learning what works and what doesn’t—without constantly scrapping everything and starting over.
And it’s exactly the same in business. Jumping from one strategy to another, looking for shortcuts, or switching coaches every time you come across a challenge only leads to inconsistent action, and inconsistent results. The ones who get the results? They commit. They trust the process. They stick with it long enough to see their growth.
The Mindset Shift: Long-Term Thinking Wins
Back in my early 20s, I spent years battling with my weight. I was constantly searching for the thing that would finally work—jumping from one diet to the next, one gym to another, hoping I’d finally find the magic formula that would make me look skinny. (Because back then, that’s what we were all chasing!)
Nothing stuck. Nothing lasted. It wasn’t until I shifted my mindset that things changed. I stopped looking for shortcuts and started focusing on patience and consistency. I accepted where I was, committed to the process, and finally started seeing real, lasting results.
The same thing happened in business. When I stopped hopping from one strategy to another and committed to one approach, things started to shift. I built trust in myself. My reputation grew. And soon, I wasn’t chasing clients—they were coming to me.
Results don’t come from eating one healthy meal or doing one great workout. Business growth works the same way. If you constantly want it now, you’ll keep finding yourself starting over. But when you shift your mindset from “How fast can I grow my business?” to “How can I build something that lasts?”, everything changes.
When I finally got success with weight loss, it wasn’t just about me—I wanted my kids to grow up with a healthy mindset around food and exercise. I knew that if I wanted lasting results, I had to lead by example.
And that’s the power of playing the long game. When life throws challenges your way—like when I had my son—I didn’t panic. I already knew what worked. I could adapt, stay consistent, and get the results I had before.
The Long Game in Action: What It Looks Like
At the beginning of my business, there were many points in my journey where I was scrambling for clients. I’d sit there, staring at a nearly empty diary, consumed by one thought: How do I get more clients? It was exhausting, and honestly, it never really worked. I’d look for an instant solution, hoping the next new client would be the one to turn things around. But nothing changed—until I did.
When I shifted my focus to these three things, everything started to click:
- Building Strong Relationships
Instead of obsessing over getting new clients, I put my energy into looking after the ones I already had. That didn’t mean I stopped marketing or growing my business—it meant I stopped operating from a place of lack. I focused on delivering real value, deepening relationships, and making sure my existing clients got an incredible experience. And guess what? The more I did that, the more referrals came in, the stronger my reputation became, and suddenly, I wasn’t chasing anymore. - Consistency Over Perfection
I used to ‘stop and start’ in my business all the time. If I didn’t see immediate results, I’d lose motivation, slow down, then fire myself up again weeks later—only to repeat the cycle. The inconsistency was costing me more than I realised. What changed? I committed to showing up, even when it felt like nothing was happening. I built the habit of taking action without needing instant results. And eventually, the results came. - Adapting but Staying Committed
There’s a difference between adjusting your strategy and abandoning it. You don’t need to jump ship every time things feel slow, but you do need to refine your approach. I ask myself these three questions all the time:
- What’s working?
- What’s not working?
- What actions am I taking forward?
It’s simple, but it keeps me aligned with the bigger vision. Without that, it’s easy to get distracted and head off in the wrong direction. Play the long game, and you’ll build something that lasts.
Practical Steps to Stay Committed to the Long Game
Here are some practical ways to shift your mindset and stay committed to playing the long game:
- Set Long-Term Goals and Track Small Wins
Big goals can feel overwhelming, especially when your progress is slow. That’s why tracking small wins is crucial. Without it, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. I celebrate the small stuff—the days I show up for my newsletter, the times I step into a conversation despite feeling nervous, the moments I deliver what I promised, even when motivation is low. These small wins build the habits, discipline, and confidence needed to achieve the bigger vision. - Focus on Habits, Not Just Outcomes
Right now, you might not be the person you need to be to reach your goals—and that’s a good thing. Growth is the whole point. If you’re already fully equipped for the goal, maybe the goal isn’t big enough. Set clear outcomes, but also focus on who you need to become to achieve them. What skills do you need? What habits will make success inevitable? Focusing on that stops you from getting disheartened when results don’t show up overnight. - Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People
Everyone suddenly becomes an expert when you start a business. Some will question your choices, others will tell you to “get a proper job.” Ignore them. Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Look around—who’s influencing you? Surround yourself with people who are in it for the long run, who stay consistent, who push themselves. It rubs off. - Learn to Manage Impatience and Self-Doubt
Mastering your emotions doesn’t mean ignoring them. It means acknowledging frustration, fear, or doubt—and taking action anyway. Repeat to yourself: “I’m in no rush. I’m building something sustainable.” - Celebrate Progress, Not Just Results
Did you follow through on what you said you’d do? That’s a win. Did you push past discomfort and take action? Another win. These small moments add up. Recognise them, celebrate them, and you’ll stay in the game long enough to see the big results.
Final Thoughts: The Payoff of Long-Term Thinking
Most businesses don’t just take off overnight. Behind every so-called “overnight success” is years of consistent effort, trial and error, and personal growth. The people who make it? They aren’t the ones who jump from one strategy to the next, hoping for a quick fix. They’re the ones who commit, refine, and keep showing up—long after the initial excitement wears off.
I once heard an analogy that stuck with me, and I have no idea where it came from. If I told you a Netflix series had a slow start but promised it would get better after a few episodes, you’d stick with it, right? Business is the same. The beginning might feel slow, frustrating even, but once you find your rhythm, everything starts to click. And when it does, you’ll be grateful you didn’t give up too soon.
So, what’s one thing you could commit to for the next 12 months that would truly move your business forward? Stick with it. Play the long game. The results will come.
Keep Building
Playing the long game doesn’t mean doing it alone. If you’re serious about building something sustainable book a free Breakthrough call. We’ll map out what long-term success looks like for you—and how to get there. No quick-fix tactics, just a real plan that works.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Get the support, the strategy, and the momentum you need to keep moving forward. The long game starts now.
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