Not Where You Want to Be? Why Good Things Take Time (And How to Be Patient)

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your mental checklist of "not achieved yet" goals? You're not alone in this journey. In our instant-gratification world, we often forget a fundamental truth: good things take time.

The Microwave Mentality That's Holding Us Back

I walked to the pantry, flicked on the light, and opened the time-worn doors. My hand navigated the basket that held the goodness. As I ruffled through all the snack options, I could tell by the size: "Ahh, there it is!" My 100-calorie single-serving pack of instant kettle corn. I shuffled over to the microwave and hit the popcorn button.

Exactly two minutes and 15 seconds later, I have what I want: a scrumptious little snack.

Popping that snack got me thinking about everything I want that I haven't gotten yet...

Are you also unknowingly doom-scrolling a mental checklist of 'not achieved yet'?

• Why am I not at my financial goal yet?
• Why is my business growing so slowly?
• Why don't I have a million YouTube subs yet?
• Why haven't I written another two books yet?
• Why don't I have more cashflow investments yet?
• Why isn't my content growing my personal brand?
• Why does so and so have a bigger business than me?
• Why am I stuck in the same role that isn't moving my career?

When was the last time anything meaningful for you happened overnight?

The Oak Tree Principle: Beauty and Grandeur Can't Be Hurried

When I pause, take a deep breath and see reality for what it is, I'm awakened to how things truly work: good things take time.

Our instant-everything society makes us believe we should have what we want this instant.

Look at an oak tree. I've got one in my yard. It's beautiful and grand. It took (a lot of) time to reach its magnificence. The roots had to slowly work deeper into the ground before they could hold the beauty and grandeur.

My mindset? Is often...

Why don't I have what I want right now? Ugh... waaa...

My mindset(s) have been twisted to think I can manufacture and manipulate my way to beauty and grandeur. I can snap my finger and have what I want when I want it. This is especially true for 'Mericans, just like that bag of 100-cal kettle corn.

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Hidden Costs of Wanting Everything Now

Do you ever feel you haven't arrived? Are you not where you want to be? Have you accomplished what you want?

Breathe in. Exhale.

Here are a few thoughts to consider:

• A "right now" expectation induces angst and anxiety
• Measuring against others' "success" isn't a good measuring stick
• Motivation for a "right now" attitude is usually connected to holes in the soul

Imagine I plant a baby oak tree in my yard, and as soon as that baby is in the ground, it looks up at the big, strong, and beautiful oak tree and says, "Why am I not like that big, glorious oak tree yet?"

Where in life do you feel "you're not there yet?"

"We live in a culture that values speed over depth, efficiency over connection, and quantity over quality." – Brené Brown

4 Powerful Ways to Embrace Your Journey and Stop Comparing

Here are a few tips on how to live more intentionally about your journey:

1. Establish a North Star

A north star is the direction you want to move in. For example, I want to learn Greek by reading the New Testament and other ancient texts. If I'm consistent in work, I can get there by the end of the year.

2. Establish a System

To become proficient in Greek, I need a daily and weekly system to measure my journey (progress). I track my practice using the Streaks app. I'm committed to spending at least 30 minutes a day. Plus, I'm also taking a class every week.

3. Track Your Progress

As I progress in my journey, I can see where I'm going (based on my research) and have realistic expectations. Tracking my progress allows me to see my development, which helps the motivation cycle. I want to keep going.

4. Stay Accountable

You must be accountable for the systems you build, for the journey you're on, and for your expectations.

The Alaska Journey Metaphor

Where are you located? Let's say you're in Alaska, k? I'm in North Carolina (first, I'm super jealous you're in AK, but I'm not because you have some of the best fishing there). Let's say that getting to AK is my north star.

You already "have" what I want. If I got in my car tomorrow to head in that direction, would it make sense to be mad, frustrated or depressed because I didn't get to AK in one, two, three.... or whatever days?

No. It's silly. It takes time to get to where I'm going.

We need to know where we're going and what we're building. We need to make consistent progress. We must reflect on our journey to see how far we've come.

The Takeaway: Progress, Not Perfection

Good things take time—progress, not perfection.

That's it.

Watch out for the bears!

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