Trusting the Process: Key Lessons from "Chop Wood, Carry Water"

As the year draws to a close, it’s a natural time for reflection—a moment to pause and think about what we’ve achieved, the challenges we’ve faced, and the growth we’ve experienced. For me, this year has been a profound journey of learning and transformation. As a former engineer transitioning into a leadership role, I’ve found inspiration in many places, but one book stands out: Chop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf .

This book offers a simple yet powerful message: greatness is achieved not through shortcuts or dramatic leaps, but through consistent, daily effort. It reminds us that true success comes from falling in love with the process, not just chasing the outcome.

A piece of advice from my early career has always stayed with me. An ex-colleague, named Vijayalaxmi, once told me, “Results often come after a long period of unseen effort. Trust the process.” At the time, I was a junior engineer, overwhelmed by the complexity of my work. Her words helped me focus on steady progress rather than immediate success. Today, as a leader, I find this lesson even more relevant. Here are the key takeaways from Chop Wood, Carry Water and how they’ve shaped my growth this year.

1. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome

As an engineer, I was wired to celebrate tangible results—fixing a bug or incident, hitting an uptime metric, delivering a feature. But as a manager, I’ve learned that focusing solely on outcomes can lead to frustration. The happiest and most successful people are those who embrace the process.

This year, I’ve worked hard to embed this mindset within my team. We celebrate milestones, no matter how small, and remind ourselves that each one is a step toward our larger goals. Whether it’s resolving recurring issues or refining internal workflows, focusing on progress has transformed our approach and morale.

2. Mastery Takes Time

In tech, we often want immediate results—faster deployments, quicker resolutions, shorter learning curves. But true mastery, whether in coding, leadership, or life, takes time and patience.

This year, I’ve embraced the power of incremental improvement. Each small win—whether it’s improving a process, learning a new leadership skill, or coaching a team member—has been a building block toward long-term growth.

3. Burn Your Goals

Earlier this year, I found myself fixated on achieving specific goals, checking off milestones, and constantly chasing the next big thing. Our VP of Tech, Jen Reid-Schram gave me invaluable advice: “Burn your goals.” She explained that instead of obsessing over the end result, I should focus on building systems and habits that naturally lead to growth.

This shift in perspective was transformative. By focusing on the systems—whether that’s fostering a culture of continuous learning or streamlining incident management—I’ve found that success follows organically, without the stress of rigidly pursuing specific targets.

4. Be Where Your Feet Are

In a world full of distractions and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose sight of the present. One powerful lesson I’m working on is the ability to be fully present in the moment.

I’m fortunate to have worked with Marcus Smith CISSP who excels at blocking out noise and focusing on finding solutions, even in the most chaotic situations. Observing how he handles stressful moments with calm and clarity has shown me that the key to success lies in maintaining focus, no matter the external pressures.

Whether I’m mentoring a team member, addressing an incident, or working on a strategy, giving my undivided attention is improving my effectiveness and strengthening relationships. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about what you do, but how you do it—by focusing on what truly matters and staying centred amidst the noise.

5. Identity Over Achievement

This year, I’ve reframed my thinking about success. Instead of focusing solely on what I want to achieve—becoming an XYZ(your next role), for example—I’ve started focusing on who I want to become.

An ex-colleague from 爱思唯尔 who is still my mentor once told me, “Focus on what you are becoming, not just what you are achieving.” This has become my mantra. Leadership is not just about titles or outcomes; it’s about building character, staying true to your values, and inspiring others along the way.

6. Trust the Process

The most important lesson of all is to trust the process. Growth, whether personal or professional, is rarely linear. There are moments of progress and moments of struggle, but trusting the journey allows you to stay motivated even when the results aren’t immediately visible.

Vijayalaxmi’s advice has been my guiding light: “Results often come after a long period of unseen effort.” This truth has kept me grounded during setbacks and reminded me to keep pushing forward.

7. Overcome Comparison

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, especially in a competitive industry like tech. This year, I’ve worked to measure progress by reflecting on how far I’ve come, not by where others are.

Focusing on my own growth—and helping my team do the same—has been liberating. Progress isn’t about beating others; it’s about becoming better than you were yesterday.

8. Discipline Is Freedom

Discipline might sound restrictive, but this year, I’ve discovered that it’s actually the key to freedom. By establishing consistent habits and routines, I’ve created space for creativity and clarity.

Whether it’s prioritising tasks, managing time, or staying committed to goals, discipline has been the foundation for both personal and professional success.

9. Adversity Builds Strength

Every challenge I’ve faced this year—from navigating difficult conversations to managing complex projects—has been an opportunity for growth.

Adversity has taught me resilience, empathy, and problem-solving. It’s reminded me that every setback is a chance to learn and emerge stronger.

10. Focus on the Little Things

In our quest for big achievements, we often overlook the small wins that pave the way. This year, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things—a successful sprint, a thoughtful code review, or even a moment of collaboration.

Focusing on these small victories has reinforced the idea that long-term success is built one step at a time.

Final Reflections

This year, I’ve been fortunate to work with inspiring mentors and managers from RELX who’ve reminded me to let go of negativity, focus on solutions, and stay grounded. Their support has been invaluable as I continue my journey.

As I reflect on the lessons from Chop Wood, Carry Water and my own experiences, I’m reminded that leadership isn’t about quick wins or immediate results. It’s about embracing the process, staying disciplined, and trusting that the effort we put in today will lead to tomorrow’s success.

What about you? How have you embraced the process this year? Let’s share and grow together—drop your reflections in the comments!

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