Trusting the Process: When the Journey is the Destination (and the Destination is Worth It)

I remember my niece writing an essay about 10 years ago as to whether the journey or the destination was the more important of the two. But what happens when the journey is the destination and how do we get to our ultimate goal?

We live in a world obsessed with instant gratification. We want results now. Fast food, same-day delivery, and highlight reels showcasing seemingly overnight success bombard us daily. It's easy to get discouraged when our own progress feels slow, when we plant the initial seeds but they haven’t quite bloomed yet. That's where the power of "trusting the process" comes in.

Trusting the process is a mindset shift, a conscious decision to believe in the journey, even when you’re not sure what the final destination is. It's about understanding that growth, whether personal or professional, is rarely linear. There will be setbacks, plateaus, and moments where you question everything. But it's in these moments that trusting the process becomes crucial. You will get to your final destination, but it could take a different route and slightly longer than you expected with a few twists and turns along the way – growth.

Think of a marathon runner. They don't just show up on race day and expect to cross the finish line. They train for months, enduring grueling workouts, pushing past their limits, and facing the inevitable aches and pains. They trust the training process, even when their legs feel like lead and doubt creeps in. They know that each step, each mile, is bringing them closer to their goal.

I was talking to a graduate this week who is at a crossroads - do they continue on the trajectory they are expected to follow, the straight line to qualify within their profession or do they take a different path to explore other options which may allow them to forge a more fulfilling career? We discussed broader options to connect all different types of positions to their current experience and established there are many routes; the final destination is unclear right now, so they need to embrace the journey and trust that this will eventually result in the right pathway for them.

Whether you're learning a new skill, building a business, or working towards a personal goal, there will be challenges. You might feel like you're not making progress, or that you're not good enough. But these feelings are often just part of the process.

So, how do you actually trust the process? Here are a few tips:

• Focus on the present: Instead of fixating on the end goal, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate the small victories along the way. Each completed task, no matter how small, is a testament to your progress.
• Embrace the discomfort: Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid of challenges or setbacks. View them as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Be patient: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your dreams. Trust that your efforts will eventually yield results, even if you don't see them immediately.
• Stay consistent: Consistency is key. Show up for yourself, even when you don't feel like it. The compound effect of consistent effort over time is powerful.
• Find your support system: Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your vision. They can provide encouragement and support when you're feeling discouraged.
• Be kind to yourself: Don't be hard on yourself if there are mistakes or setbacks. Learn from them and move forward.

Trusting the process is about taking a considered approach and having confidence in your abilities, your efforts, and the journey itself. It's about understanding that the process is just as important, if not more so, than the destination. Because it's in the journey that we learn, grow, and discover who we truly are. So, take a deep breath, embrace the ride, and trust that you're exactly where you need to be. The destination will be worth it.