Too often we think that if we can’t get somewhere at light speed, then it’s not worth going. But slow progress is better than no progress. In an age where so many focus on being first rather than being best, taking two steps forward and one step back can be the fastest route to creating something of value.
Even when you’re taking two steps forward and one step back, you’re still getting somewhere. The most important thing is to start building momentum. THEN once you have that momentum, you can focus on exactly where you want to go.
The Myth of Overnight Success
Every overnight success took years. The person who seems to have appeared out of nowhere was working in obscurity for a decade. The hit song was the hundredth song written. The successful business was the third attempt.
Slow progress is better than no progress because slow progress is the only kind that actually exists. Fast progress is just slow progress that hasn’t been noticed yet.
Trick Yourself Into New Habits
Sometimes you have to trick yourself into forming a new habit. You can slowly wean yourself off of old or bad habits or beliefs, just like you wean yourself off of caffeine. Mixing regular with decaf, gradually shifting the ratio.
Give yourself “worry days” if you feel like you can’t stop worrying. Three days a week, worry as much as you like to your heart’s content. But FOUR days a week, don’t even think about the things that are worrying you. Focus on doing something creative. Express yourself.
Try to focus on the things that you’re passionate about. Figure out what you’re passionate about!
Start Wherever You Can Start
If you don’t think you can be creative, then start by making a phone call to an old friend, or watch an interesting documentary. If you can focus the majority of your time on things that make you happy, or things that start moving you closer to your goals, then you’ll start to build up momentum.
You can get creative with the balance too. Instead of a four to three day split of creative versus worry, start with six days of worry and one day of creativity. Then shift it gradually.
Start wherever you can start, but START.
Enjoy the Ride
Take baby steps and know that it’s never about getting there quickly, or at all, but that you enjoy the ride.
Progress is not about perfection. Progress is about movement. And movement, no matter how imperfect, creates momentum.
Two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward. That’s still further than you were yesterday. And yesterday, that seemed impossible.
This is shadow work in action.
If you’re ready to process what’s been running your life, explore the Shadow Work practices.