“What light? I’m Still Looking for the tunnel!”
– Magnet on my Aunt’s Refrigerator
Ever been so tired and thought, “I don’t want to get ready for bed; I just want to be ready for bed” or something similar?
I don’t always like doing dishes, but I enjoy having clean dishes. How do they get clean? By actively washing them.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about embracing change and how, oftentimes, it’s not the change we resist but rather the process we need to undergo.
But what if the process is the success?
The final result – the goal we reach – is the outward sign of the smaller things we’ve accomplished along the way, but not necessarily the success by itself.
A Little Back Story
On my first day as a kindergarten teacher, fresh out of college, it took me a solid 45 minutes to clean my classroom at the end of the day. I didn’t yet have a system for cleaning up as I went along, so I left everything I took off a shelf or out of a cabinet to deal with at the end of the day. There was nothing else I could do, so I took a deep breath and mustered up the energy to do the same thing day after day, now planning into my schedule the 45 minutes it would take me to clean up my classroom at the end of each school day. Fast forward a couple of months, doing the same thing I had done since day one, I put the various learning materials away, sat down at my desk, and looked at the clock, expecting it to be close to 4:00 pm. I was pleasantly surprised when the clock read 3:05 pm. I had gotten a whole 40 minutes of my day back just by putting myself on repeat! This sense of accomplishment in the process was truly fulfilling.
By doing the same thing every day, I naturally fell into a system that took less and less time because I got better and more confident at it.
The success was in the process.
Whatever steps you’re taking toward a goal, embrace what it takes to get there. Perhaps you can see the process as an opportunity to learn about yourself and others and be grateful for your ability to go through this in the first place. This gratitude can bring a sense of appreciation for the journey, making both the process and the end result more enjoyable and rewarding. And, if you find yourself in want of accountability, we are launching a group program later this month (March 2025). Join our email list now to be notified when sign-ups open.
I believe in you. Keep fighting the good fight.
~ Danielle
P.S.
A few more notes:
Of course, the end goal does matter; that’s what we’re working toward. I encourage you to keep the goal in mind and embrace the process of getting there.
As we know all too well, the process of going through something can be tedious and even frustrating. By embracing it, we are not saying, “YAY, I get to go through a lengthy process today!” Rather, embrace in this context means ‘to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole.’ (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Keep your end goal in mind, and trust that going through this process will get you there.
I also don’t encourage you to create an unnecessary, tiresome process on purpose; simply accept what you must endure to reach the other end.
If you find you gain motivation from tangible achievements, create smaller benchmarks within the process of achieving your goal and celebrate them.
Consistently work toward your goal—don’t settle. Compel yourself to achieve the final outcomes you desire so that you do not let yourself become complacent.
You’ve got this.