I would like to share a story that might encourage you to do something out of the ordinary. Most people never create anything that actually transforms their lives, which is a tragedy. My intention is to help you avoid this fate. We all know that consistency is essential, yet there is often a misconception about what showing up daily really means. In this blog, I will talk about how to achieve a breakthrough and create long-term change.
A piece of work that changed my life.
The real transformation began when I stopped trying to impress. I used to write about almost every other topic in the blog that I started, but it felt like I was just repeating the information already available. It was not great. One year later, over a weekend, sitting in my living room and watching the documentary, Man On Wire, I knew I needed a change to make things work.
This documentary swept me off my feet not with spectacle but with a quiet recognition of the incredible events it documents: a team of young, rebellious young adults who rigged a wire across the twin towers that their mascot, Philippe Petit, walked, or “danced,” across for 45 minutes.
I sat at my computer and let my hands type without thinking about what I was doing. It felt weird, as if I were outside myself. I blurted out everything for an hour or two—how I transformed my life, and every raw detail. I did not hold back.
When I was finished, I pressed the publish button without thinking twice. The next morning, I saw that my article had been shared multiple times on Facebook. Not merely liked or commented on; shared.
This may appear to be a fortunate event, such as winning the lottery or experiencing something extraordinary. However, growth does not depend on a single key event or a stroke of luck.
This piece was not created in response to a sudden surge of inspiration. It was a year of long days, late nights, and the continual fear that no one would ever read what I wrote, which kept me stuck to what I was already writing.
The struggle was gradual. So was the energy. So was the progress. So was finding my writer’s voice. So was shaping my life story.
This bit of writing made a difference. It opened doors, brought me my first readers, and a couple of my friends noticed and appreciated it.
There was a point where I understood I could accomplish anything using the power of consistency. My life shifted by writing that essay, and it inspired me to assist others in going through similar experiences. Since then, I have worked with many writers and inspired many more to start writing.
This movement has far outgrown me. Just a week ago, I found out that an article I authored about how we don’t need a to-do list anymore to accomplish a task was being discussed in a small online community. It came as a pleasant surprise because I am just a regular person.
I am not revealing this to impress you; I realize that is not what matters. I do not care about fame or following. I am posting it because we all have the ability to create something that will change everything.
Consistency means showing up even when it makes zero sense.
Obsession compels us to remain consistently focused on, frequently at the expense of our social lives. If we talk about the importance of obsession, it is that it motivates us to work continually, even when we cannot see instant results. It is not about being delusional, but about having quiet confidence. Obsession is defined as the confidence that your efforts will be fruitful, even when no clear results are visible.
It is not an illusion. It offers a sense of peaceful assurance. I occasionally wonder whether there is a bigger power at work that we do not realize.
Most people struggle to be consistent because they rely on outcomes to justify themselves, feel important, and maintain their social standing. They require dopamine spikes. If you don’t show appreciation for their efforts, they will soon burn out.
Burnout is not a sign of exhaustion. It is a sign you are working on the wrong thing, expecting short-term results you have not earned.
When I hear the phrase “burnout,” it makes me wonder if someone truly understands how the world works. When you break it down, the world is simple: you choose something to focus on, fully commit to it, and work on it each day.
This helps you make a mark and leave a legacy. You pursue your interest and grow from being an amateur to an expert.
Other points of view in the world appear flawed, and this confusion is a major reason why society appears broken to me. I have lost trust in it.
You only reach the top a few times in life, and those moments define you.
This is a quotation by Zach Pogrob that felt appropriate to use as the headline of this section. We experience significant moments in our lives. We often know when we are dealing with one, but it seems more like fear than opportunity. The majority of us try to avoid or dull our fear or even postpone making a difficult decision instead of overcoming fear of failure. However, these moments shape who we are.
I recently watched the documentary Mountain Queen, which impacted me strongly. It documents the story of Lhakpa Coach, a mother who has climbed Mount Everest several times. Even though she is well-known for her extraordinary achievements, her challenges are not as well-known.
In between her climbs, she works at Whole Foods in America and is subjected to domestic abuse by her spouse. She manages to get away from him and finds herself and her three kids living in a shelter.
Climbing Everest becomes her method of dealing with the anguish. In some ways, the mountain serves as therapy for her. Despite the extreme danger, she makes it appear very effortless. It is surprising that so many people lose their lives attempting to reach the summit.
On her tenth ascent, Lhakpa finally seizes a life-changing opportunity, complete with financial security she had only imagined possible. She has nine prior summits under her belt, but the media only pays attention to this one. The main difference is that Lhakpa wholeheartedly welcomed and made the most of her defining moment when it came.
The challenge does not end with facing a turning point in life. You also need self-awareness to believe in yourself and not allow fear to hold you back.
Design your own perfect moment instead of waiting for it.
It does not make sense to wait for the “perfect time.” You will never feel 100% prepared. What you can control is turning up every day and putting forth the effort to achieve your main goal, regardless of the current results.
The one piece of work that can change everything begins with you.
Vision, habit, consistency, obsession, and iteration combine to create a life-changing moment.
You will not be able to make a breakthrough if you omit any of these steps, especially iteration. You will become stuck and may fall into the trap of relying on chance, hope, or even undermining others because you have not figured out life.
We have all had that one breakthrough moment. It happens when you put in the effort and pursue your obsession nonstop. It is a difficult task, but it changes you into someone with remarkable freedom and success.
Please let me know in the comments if you are now aware of how to achieve a breakthrough.
Sana Ahmed Khan is a life coach and author of multiple books from Islamabad, Pakistan. As a certified life coach and author, Sana is keen on helping women from all walks of life. Sana empowers you to overcome self-doubt, find balance, and become your best self through her guidance focused on mindful living, social skills, and personal development.
