Marco Polo (3 Min Read) | Vol. 191

February 20, 2026

“The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” – Muhammad Ali

Marco Polo

A surprising favorite from my 2025 reading stack was Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. But this isn’t about tuberculosis. It’s about striving and waiting. Late in the book, Green shares his experience writing the novel The Fault in Our Stars. He wrote:

When you write a novel, you are alone in it. I wrote that book alone, sitting in airports and coffee shops and lying in bed. But when writing, there is always for me a hope that one day I will not be alone. Not in this work and not in this world.

It is a bit like that old children’s pool game, Marco Polo, where one person closes their eyes and swims around the pool trying to tag someone else.

“Marco,” the person with eyes closed says, as the other pool goers have to answer, “polo.”

“Marco. Marco. Marco. Marco,” cries one kid, and the others reply, “Polo. Polo. Polo.”

Writing is like that for me, like I’m typing “Marco. Marco. Marco.” for years. And then finally the work is finished, and someone reads it and says, “Polo.”

Extraordinary success is like that. Whether in the arts or business, it’s an endurance sport. There is the monotony of showing up daily to do the work. You don’t know when you’ll reach the finish line. Or if, when you do, the work will be a success. We’re starved for a “Polo.”

As a result, many abandon their work. Others short-circuit it by rushing. They look for shortcuts, silver bullets, and magic tactics. In my experience, the work is the work. It must be done. All the “overnight successes” did the work, often out of sight, maybe tinkering in a garage, or toiling at their laptop long after the world went to bed. If you look closely, you’ll almost always find that breakthroughs were preceded by 8 to 12 years of building.

The first truth is that you’re not behind. You’re doing exactly what you need to do. The early labor has meaning. You’re laying a foundation. Even the mistakes and mishaps play an important role in guiding us to the answer. 

The second truth is you’re not alone. You may not hear “Polo” yet. But everywhere around you founders, creators, and leaders are shouting “Marco” into the void. If you listen, you will hear them. If you hear them, you can support and encourage them. And they will support and encourage you. 

One question to ponder in your thinking time: What meaningful work have I discarded because I couldn’t wait to hear “Polo”? 

Make an Impact!
Jay Papasan
Co-author of The ONE Thing, The Millionaire Real Estate Agent & author of The Rookie Real Estate Agent