Compounding is slow, then sudden

For years, growth feels underwhelming — you're mostly just adding your own money. Then returns start earning returns on returns, and the curve bends upward almost out of nowhere. The point isn't to expect fireworks early; it's to survive long enough to reach the steep part. Most people quit in the flat years, right before it gets good.

Takeaway: Time in the game beats cleverness. The magic is nearly all at the end.