As humans, we often make the statement 'all things being equal' to precede our expectation at a later date.
Operationally, in economics, the principle intentionally ignores both known and unknown factors that may influence the relationship between price and quantity demanded and thus to assume ceteris paribus is to assume away any interference with a stated position.
To put this in proper perspective, we assume and intentionally ignore factors that may affect the relationship between our efforts and the expected results. We want these factors to be constant.
But the truth of the matter is, in reality, things are never equal, things are never on a constant. The way to the top is never straight.
Most of us are oftentimes too hopeful of a convenient period to shine, a period when everything will work in your favour.
Lets be factual, it does not always work that way. At several points in our lives we make plans and then end them with 'all things being equal'. For example 'Five years from now I will own my own business, all things being equal'. So what if things are not equal?
Situating this to an understandable standpoint, one potent way to really do well in life is to accept these truths to be self evident - That everything will not be constant in our favour always; That there are times when we have to fight our way through; That our success would not be dependent on circumstances.
A convenient way to start is to develop the mentality that whether or not there are constants or variables, a strong drive for goals will be maintained, success will be the end result.