Vidal Sassoon uses a clever observation to highlight a fundamental truth about achievement. In the dictionary, the word "success" appears before "work" alphabetically. But in real life, this order is always reversed.

There are no shortcuts or magic formulas—meaningful success is always preceded by dedicated effort. This quote serves as an antidote to the "overnight success" myth, reminding us that what appears sudden is usually the culmination of years of invisible work. The process of striving, learning, and persisting is non-negotiable.

This wisdom keeps us grounded and focused on what truly matters: showing up consistently and doing the work, trusting that results will follow in due time.