The Outcome Is Not Guaranteed, But the Process Is: Fall in Love with the Process

Graham Weaver once said, "If you are only excited about the outcome of something and not the process of doing it, then do not do it. Because the outcome is not certain but the process is." I couldn’t agree more. We live in a time where everyone wants the success and the money, but few are willing to put in the effort and endure the sacrifices needed to get there.

Embrace the Process

Many people want overnight success without the work it takes to achieve it. I think this happens because people’s motivations are misplaced. Often, they aim to achieve things for validation or to impress others rather than for themselves. This focus on the outcome, which is public, overlooks the importance of the process, which is private.

The process is about who you are becoming on the journey. Many people fear the embarrassment of being an amateur and the sting of rejection, both of which are necessary parts of growth. Instead of seeing these experiences as opportunities to become better, they avoid them.

My Journey

I was once guilty of this mindset too. Before my tertiary studies, I waitressed for nearly four years to save money for my varsity fees. It was the best option available without any prior experience, and I’m grateful for it. My goal was to save enough for registration and at least six months of residence fees, and then work hard to earn a bursary.

Initially, my focus on money left me frustrated. It never seemed to be enough, and time was slipping away. I felt stuck! Everything changed when I shifted my focus from the money to enjoying my job and the process itself. Things started to fall into place, and I realized after a while that I had spent almost four years in that job.

Learning and Growing

Throughout this journey, I never lost sight of my goals. I kept my eyes on the prize but fell in love with the process. I started learning the business and enjoying the people I interacted with. This job gave me invaluable people skills, which I still use in my engineering career. It became more than just taking orders and serving food; I learned to read faces, gauge moods, and understand how to serve.

I also learned about table manners and general etiquette from my clients. My boss demonstrated great values by leading through service and building a trustworthy team. His actions taught us about leadership and honesty. Shoutout to Andrew Cloete for his role in this.

Applying Lessons

Even though I haven’t yet reached the level of success I desire, I am far from where I started. I take pride in being a considerate client in restaurants, petrol stations, and retail shops. I demand good service because I know what it looks like.

As a newsletter writer and book author, I saw a gap in how graduates navigate their qualifications versus real-world skills. I used my experiences to address this gap. The process of writing expanded my creativity, graphic design skills, copywrite, publishing knowledge, and technology use. I became more conscious of my surroundings and learned to construct well-written content.

I love the PROCESS TO BLOSSOM, and I’ve realized that BLOSSOMING IS INDEED A PROCESS.

Embrace Learning in Sales

In the end, it’s not just about achieving your goals but about who you become in the process. So, fall in love with the process, and success will follow naturally.