Background:

I am working with a specific timeline within history but at a certain point, earth history is no longer important, toward the end if book one.  

The timeline within earth history is so easy for my character to take advantage of that its just seems too easy, for both the character and the author.

Basically the circumstances regarding earth history are poorly executed by the humans of that time period, 

the character I have from the same time period seemingly can do as they please and attend their own agenda. 

Question: 

My character has to fail meeting and overcoming challenges, and not develop into a "superhero" overnight due to the lack of performance from their historical counterparts.

How do I overcome this?