Why You Shouldn’t Rush Your Journey

One thing a lot of people obsess over is success, including me. The idea of “making it” and reaching a peak where you feel validated can be a toxic process if you’re impatient. If you put all that pressure on "it" and "it" doesn't work out, it can shatter a person.

As a soldier in the U.S. Army, my goal was to build up enough capital and marketing skills to work for a company. Instead, I was a social media manager, a banker, and now a search consultant. But I'm happy. I have a work-life balance and still work on my passion projects.

Psychology Today spoke to a financial advisor who deals with some pretty big time multimillionaire clients. They said that the money is never enough.

Making money is like a race with no finish line. They aren’t content, always looking to make more money. None of them ever seem to say, “I have enough money now. Thank you.”

The race to success or money is imaginary. It’s something we create in our heads, and it’s damaging. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t rush your journey to success.

1. You Will Never Be Happy Until You “Make It

As individuals, we are our own biggest critics. If you’re too hard on yourself, however, then you’re never going to be happy. Although you haven’t made it to your destination, you can still be grateful for the journey.

Positive psychology research discovered that “Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships”.

Allow yourself to live in the moment. Pat yourself on the back when you make strides in the right direction. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the little wins.

They all add up in the end.

2. Mistakes are Bound to Happen

Avoid rushing to the imaginary finish line of success, or else you’ll make more mistakes. Trying to go fast isn’t always the answer.

According to INC, “It’s not about how much you do. It’s about taking the time to give your best and refusing to sacrifice well-being.”

When you take your time in your process, you pay more attention to detail and notice the little things. In your line of work, you’re going to accumulate all of the technicalities necessary to be successful over time.

In certain times, there comes a point of failure where we need to change direction. Did you go to school for a degree you won't even utilize? That's okay. We can still pick alternate path. Once you escape survival mode, you can make level-headed decisions.

3. Trusting The Process Wins 99% of The Time

Be patient, and your time will come. No matter what you’re trying to accomplish in life, you’ll make it. Remain optimistic.

According to the Boston Globe, “Instant gratification is making us perpetually impatient. It’s why you have people at Disney World paying for a pass so they don’t have to wait in line,” he added. “You have people who don’t mind paying for things like same-day delivery.”

Final Thoughts

The eyes always have to be on the prize. You’ll get to where you’re trying to go without rushing it. Live for today. Enjoy the journey. Relish the highs and learn from the lows.

Life is a long game, and big things don’t always happen fast.