Should You Trust the Process Without Trusting the Person?

We've all been there—facing difficult situations that challenge our patience, resilience, and sense of direction. In these moments, the advice to "trust the process" is often given. It's meant to encourage us to keep going, to believe that our struggles are leading us somewhere worthwhile. But there's a critical distinction to be made here: trusting the process shouldn't mean ignoring red flags, especially when we might be misleading ourselves or being misled by others.

The Danger of Misleading Ourselves One of the biggest traps we can fall into is convincing ourselves that just because we're struggling, we're on the right track. We might say, "It's just part of the process," to justify continuing down a path that isn’t truly aligned with our goals. The reality is, struggle alone isn’t a sign of progress. Without a clear strategy, that struggle could be leading you in the wrong direction entirely.

Strategy is Key This isn’t just about relationships; it's about your business and life as a whole. The key to navigating any process successfully is having a well-thought-out strategy. Without one, you risk getting caught in a cycle of unproductive struggle, mistaking effort for progress. Our S.I.M.P.L.E. framework—Strategy, Innovate, Mindset, Patterns, Leverage, Execution—was designed with this in mind. It’s a tool to ensure that every step you take is purposeful and aligned with your broader vision, both in business and in life.

Struggle Doesn’t Equal Success Just because you’re working hard doesn’t mean you’re moving in the right direction. It’s essential to periodically reassess your path and ask yourself whether the process you’re following is truly serving you. Are you seeing measurable progress, or are you stuck in a loop, convincing yourself that the struggle itself is proof of growth?

Applying S.I.M.P.L.E. to Your Journey Whether you’re building a business, nurturing a relationship, or pursuing personal growth, the principles of the S.I.M.P.L.E. framework apply. Start with a clear strategy that aligns with your goals. Innovate to overcome obstacles and adapt to new challenges. Maintain a mindset that balances optimism with realism. Recognize patterns in your behavior and outcomes, and leverage your strengths and resources to your advantage. Finally, execute your plan with discipline and consistency.

Final Thoughts It’s easy to tell ourselves that struggle is just part of the process, but without a strategy, we risk going in circles. The key is to trust not only the process but also the person advocating for it—whether that’s someone else or yourself.

Use discernment, evaluate your progress honestly, leverage an advisor, community, and lean on frameworks like S.I.M.P.L.E. to guide you.

In the end, trust the process—but only if it’s leading you in the right direction.

Keep Building,

Adam