Why Worthwhile Things Take Time: The Truth About Growth, Patience and Progress

Worthwhile Takes Time

In our culture of immediate gratification, time is a curse word. We advertise and perpetuate the myth of overnight success. This myth feeds into the desire to have the outcome, prestige, relief, freedom and recognition without hard work, sacrifice, and commitment. 

You can go to a grocery store and buy potatoes, corn or green beans, or you can prep, seed, care for and eventually harvest your garden. There's nowhere and no method to earn a degree, finish a book, grow a relationship, build a business, or get a job promotion in ten minutes. These endeavours, this garden of worthwhile achievements, takes time to blossom. During this time, you'll develop confidence, character, and resilience. 

Is your desire worth it to you? In that case, if it truly matters, you'll manage the expectations of your time and effort, focusing not only on the outcome but on understanding what you'll need to give, who you'll need to become and the commitment it takes to reap the benefits.

The Progress Loop

It's important to recognize progress with your goals, however small. This keeps your brain engaged. As we move closer to achieving our goals, performance and motivation accelerate. 

This is known as the Progress Loop, and it's all about dopamine! 

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in reward-motivated behaviour, and dopamine makes us feel good. We boost dopamine as we work towards something meaningful and by acknowledging the small wins and steps taken. 

Big outcomes and results are rare, so only seeing it as progress or success when you reach the finish line isn't an effective way to stay connected to the vision and the actions required to get there. 

"You need to be content with small steps. That's all life is. Small steps that you take every day so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance." ~ Katie Kacvinsky

A Simple Daily Practice

Even a few minutes a day spent positively reflecting on what you accomplished, what you learned or what moved you closer to your larger goals will feed your motivation.

Set aside time each day and ask: What went well today, and what action moved me closer to my goals?

If you want to learn how to increase and maintain your motivation, contact me today and we can schedule your free consultation.

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If we haven’t met before, I’m Shawna Campbell, a Life Coach on a mission to help you change your mind to change your life. Learn more about me and what I do at www.shawnacampbell.com

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