There Are No Shortcuts to Real Growth: A Message Rooted in Wisdo

 

Desalegn Terecha

There Are No Shortcuts to Real Growth: A Message Rooted in Wisdom

“Even if it is a long distance, the right road is better.” — a timeless saying from the Afat people.

We live in a world that glorifies speed. Instant results, overnight success stories, viral fame. Yet, beneath all the glitter lies a truth as old as humanity: there are no shortcuts to real growth and progress. Every meaningful achievement—be it in character, wisdom, or legacy—takes time, struggle, and a deep commitment to the right path, not just the fastest one.

Ancient Voices Still Speak

Our ancestors knew this truth well. Early philosophers, moralists, and sages across cultures warned us against the illusion of fast success. In Plato’s Republic, Socrates teaches that the soul matures through education and justice, not manipulation or deceit. Aristotle, in Nicomachean Ethics, argues that true happiness is a byproduct of virtue practiced over time, not a momentary pleasure or gain.

The same message echoes through Eastern philosophy. Confucius said, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes right action without attachment to the result. These weren’t passive ideas—they were warnings to a humanity often tempted by the easy path.

The Cost of the Shortcut

In psychological terms, shortcuts feed into what is known as “immediate gratification bias.” Our brains are wired to want rewards now rather than later, but this tendency often leads to emptiness and regret. The psychologist Viktor Frankl, in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning, argued that fulfillment comes not from comfort, but from purpose and responsibility. Pain becomes bearable when it serves a deeper meaning.

And yet, so many of us fall for the shortcut. The fake resume. The copied project. The dishonest hustle. In the end, we rob ourselves of the greatest reward: the transformation that comes through the journey.

The Road Less Taken Is the Road That Shapes You

The Afat people’s wisdom—“even if it is long distance, the right road is better”—reminds us of something the world often forgets. Integrity and effort are not delays; they are development. Every step taken with honesty shapes us. Every delay embraced with faith builds patience. Every struggle handled with grace deepens our character.

It is easy to envy those who “make it” quickly. But when the dust settles, what remains? Without inner growth, fame fades. Without wisdom, money becomes meaningless. Without truth, influence collapses. Real growth is about who we become, not just what we gain.

Lessons from Moral Books

Throughout the ages, moral books have tried to awaken the better angels of our nature. In his letter to his son’s teacher, Abraham Lincoln pleads for his child to learn that “it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.” Mahatma Gandhi listed “Wealth without Work” and “Pleasure without Conscience” among the seven social sins. These timeless warnings are more relevant today than ever.

James Allen, in his classic As a Man Thinketh, writes: “A man does not come to the almshouse or the jail by the tyranny of fate... but by the pathway of groveling thoughts and base desires.” In other words, we create our future step by step—by our choices, our honesty, and our commitment to doing things the right way, even when it's hard.

Modern Echoes of an Ancient Truth

Even in today's secular psychology and leadership science, the same lesson emerges. Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" teaches us that enduring success is rooted in purpose, not in tactics. Angela Duckworth’s research on "grit" confirms that passion and perseverance over time—not genius or shortcuts—lead to meaningful achievement.

The world may change, but the truth doesn’t. Real progress requires a steady heart, not a fast track. The right road might be uphill, lonely, and long. But it’s the only one that transforms you into someone truly worth becoming.

Human Stories That Inspire

Think of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison. He could have cut a deal, betrayed his cause, and walked free early. But he took the long road—the right one. And he emerged not bitter, but better. His moral authority came from the path he chose.

Or consider Mother Teresa, who worked for decades in the slums of Kolkata. She didn’t look for fame or riches. She just showed up every day and did the right thing. Quietly. Faithfully. Until the world took notice—not of her fame, but of her love.

A Personal Call to Action

We all face moments of temptation. To skip steps. To fake it. To choose ease over truth. But when those moments come, remember the Afat wisdom. Ask yourself: Will this path make me proud tomorrow? Is it building something lasting within me, or just something shiny outside me?

Here’s the truth: When you take shortcuts, you may reach the destination—but you arrive unprepared. But when you take the long road, you arrive transformed, ready, and full of stories worth telling.

Final Words

So if you’re tired, discouraged, or tempted to take the shortcut—hold on. You are not falling behind. You are building deep roots. You are shaping a life that matters. There are no shortcuts to real growth, because growth is the reward.

Let’s walk the right road, even if it’s long. Because in the end, that’s the only road that leads us home.

“Do not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9