Saturday, July 16, 2022
There’s an ancient phrase that says, “Diligence is the mother of luck.” Success is created by leveraging daily advantages over time, and when you make progress, it’s vital to give yourself credit for the small victories. Pats on the back for small steps forward fuel your energy for the rest of your journey.
If you’re trying to learn a new musical instrument, and you can now play that passage that was once difficult yesterday, then huzzah! If you are trying to develop a love interest with someone, and you’ve had a better experience or conversation with them today, than the last time, then congrats! If you’re trying to become a writer, and you write a better sentence today, than you did yesterday, then drinks all around! If you’re trying to be better with your health, and you chose a salad for lunch, over that fast food that you had yesterday, then you get a gold star! If you’re trying to be a better person, and you held your tongue at the office, or you complimented that colleague rather than dismissing them like you did last time – then you win!
Things like addictions can be overwhelming, when you think of how far you have to go to beat them. Those bad habits may feel insurmountable, but it’s the small steps, the micro actions towards success, compounded over time, that really matter. Being discouraged with how far you need to go won’t get you there faster – giving yourself credit along the way is what keeps you going. What pays off is diligence and discipline. The small victories add up over time, but you have to be grateful for them. Success is not waiting for you to be the hero, the know-it-all, or to be perfect. It’s waiting for you to see the significance of your progress, and for giving yourself some credit for the small victories that you’ve accomplished along the way.