Why do we still fail even when we know the phases to success?

Lately, I’ve been trying to map what building a product actually looks like - not in theory, but in real life.
And it kind of feels like there are phases you move through.

Here’s a model I found that makes sense to me:

1. Problem validation – Is this even a real pain for someone?
2. Solution validation – Does my way of solving it actually work?
3. Early traction – Can I sell it consistently (not just once)?
4. Discovery – How do people find me without me chasing them?
5. Awareness & Authority – Do people start recognizing me or my product?
6. Scale & Optimization – Can I grow efficiently (ads, automation, systems)?

Now, here’s what I’ve been wondering:
Do you think it’s ever possible to skip one of these phases and still win?

Like - can someone go from building a product straight to running paid ads and make it work?
Or do you always have to go through the slow validation grind first?

I’d love to hear how you see it:
• Do you see the journey the same way?
• Which phase are you in right now?
• Have you ever skipped a phase?

If the path is that obvious, why do most of us still get stuck somewhere along the way?