Ah, progress. That wonderful, sometimes painful, always unpredictable rollercoaster ride that we all have to endure on the way to success. You know, that thing where you start off thinking, “this will be piece of cake!” and then three breakdowns, two existential crises and a questionable life decision later, you’re somehow further ahead than when you started. How on earth did I fluke that?!
Let’s be honest – progress is rarely glamorous. Movies and motivational speakers would have you believe it’s all about slow-motion montages, uplifting music and triumphant fist-pumps in the air (I’ve been know to do a few of those on the tennis court). In reality, it’s more like frantically Googling “how to get your life together” at 2am while downing an entire tub of your favourite Ben and Jerry’s.
But here’s the kicker – progress is the only way to get anywhere worth going. Think about it. Nobody wakes up one morning and is suddenly a millionaire, an Olympic athlete or a highly successful entrepreneur (if you know someone who did, introduce me immediately). No, success is built brick by painstakingly small brick, and sometimes, you accidentally step on a metaphorical Lego along the way (nothing metaphorical about it in my Lego-obsessed household).
Now, let’s talk about the messiness of progress. It’s never linear. One day, you’re on top of the world, crushing your goals and in the groove and the next, you’re wondering if you were actually meant to be a professional napper instead (guilty as charged). But guess what? That’s totally normal. Progress is like hiking up a mountain in thongs (flip flops for you guys on the upside 😉) – it may not always be graceful, but if you keep moving forward, you’ll get there eventually (with maybe a blister or two and other battle wounds).
So, how do you stay motivated when progress feels like pushing a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down (yes, I see you, Sisyphus)? Here are some tried-and-tested strategies:
- Celebrate ALL The Small Wins – That’s right, break out the confetti for those tiny victories! Finished a task? Reward yourself. Managed to wake up on time three days in a row? You deserve a medal. That can be a literal one too … 🥇
- Laugh at the Setbacks – If you tripped, at least make it look intentional. Failure is just progress in disguise. Always take away the learnings from it, shake it off and keep going.
- Stop Comparing Yourself – Someone else’s highly polished Instagram Reel is not your behind-the-scenes (thank God right?). Stay in your own lane, focus on your own journey and keep making strides, no matter how wobbly they may feel (and it’s okay to take those stilettos off every once in a while).
- Keep Going, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It – The magic happens when you push through the “I’d rather watch cat and dog videos” phase and just do the thing. Remember, success comes from being consistently comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Ultimately, progress is the secret sauce of success. It’s messy, it’s exhausting, there’s no short cuts, but it’s also the most rewarding journey you’ll ever take. So, embrace the chaos, dust yourself off when you stumble, and most importantly – keep moving forward in the direction of your dreams.
Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about reaching the finish line in perfect form. Remember what you think is that oncoming train may just be the light of your dreams coming into reality. And it’s about making it there with a great story to tell – and maybe a few funny scars along the way (and no, I don’t want to see them).
Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay