Making progress is essential to your growth in life. It’s not always pretty and easy, but it is always worth it in the end.
Progress could be anything – adding an additional stream of income to your portfolio, passing your math test or exercising more regularly. It depends on where you are in life and the next step that you need to take.
What does making progress look like? Even though it’s slow and not the same for everyone, there are hints along the way that let you know you’re on your way.
Progress Can Be A Lonely Path
It’s normal to expect others to be happy for you when you achieve a goal. Who wouldn’t want their family and friends to be proud of them?
The truth is, most people don’t care to see you advance to the next level of your life. It makes them feel like they aren’t doing enough. They are insecure about themselves and don’t want to see you pass their level.
Making daily improvements is a lonely road. There’s no one there to tell you how great you’re doing or to keep up the good work. You’ll have to pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself along the way.
This is what progress looks like.
Obstacles Create Progress
You are improving and things are moving along smoothly. All of a sudden, you encounter a challenge. Great – something else to throw you off track.
Don’t be intimidated by obstacles and challenges. Not only are they there to make you better, they are also there to help promote your progress. Nothing enhances progress like a good challenge!
Yes, it may hurt your momentum and take some time, but it carries you to the next stage of your journey. You always win when you overcome any obstacle.
This is what progress looks like.
The Silent Battle In Your Head
There’s another way you can tell if you’re making progress. Those voices in your head that tell you to quit are a sure sign that you are moving in the right direction.
Never mind the outside forces that are trying to stop you, what about the inside? What is your inner voice saying to you? Are you giving in to it or are you taking action until it goes away?
Your thoughts are always with you – there’s no way to escape them. Mindset plays a critical role in achieving success and you should never accommodate your fears.
Listening to constructive podcasts and reading motivational information is necessary to feeding your mindset. Negative thoughts are simple and convincing and can easily hijack your progress.
This is what progress looks like.
Progress Doesn’t Stop
Many things will attempt to stop you from moving forward. If it didn’t, it would be easy to become successful.
Stop looking for permission from others – you have the ability to believe in yourself and make anything happen. Validate yourself and keep taking those small steps toward the bigger picture.
Understand that progress doesn’t always look good. It comes in all different forms, but it’s imperative that you recognize it and deal with it accordingly, so you can keep moving forward.
Always bet on yourself. You’ve made the incredible commitment of showing up everyday, even when it looks like nothing is changing. Acknowledge your improvements and encourage yourself through the distractions and confusion. Things may work against you at times, but you have the power and confidence to endure it and see it through.
That’s what progress looks like.
#BeGoalden