Progress, Not Perfection

After setting personal goals, I sometimes get frustrated that I haven’t reached them within a certain timeframe. Then I go into a place of beating myself up for not having met the deadline or reached the goal in its entirety.

It becomes a vicious cycle that is definitely not productive and stops any momentum I might have had.

This happened frequently when I was writing my book, Ancient Healing in a Modern World, How Secrets from Ancient Cultures Can Renew Your Body, Mind and Soul.

I would often beat myself up for not finishing the entire chapter I set out to write or to complete the research section, or whichever goal I had set.

Frustration can lead to inaction. Whether it’s weight loss, business goals, spiritual or emotional growth, or any type of goal, not taking some form of action is a sure way not to reach a successful outcome.

What I didn’t see or realize, is that writing even one paragraph was progress! Baby steps will get you there eventually.

I began to acknowledge and appreciate that any form of forward motion towards goals was success in and of itself. It helped me to release the frustration of not reaching the larger goals and shifted my awareness to gratitude for the smaller actions that would ultimately lead me there.

Then, I added this new way of approaching goals to my “Awesome Jar” which is a conscious reinforcement of transformations and “wins”.

The new energy created from self-appreciation supported a positive change in how I saw myself and the goals I had set. 

Who I was becoming as I was on my journey towards meeting goals was just (if not more) important than reaching the goal itself. 

Ancient wisdom is profound, and this quote applies to the journey of progress:

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.”

– Chinese Proverb

How I Shifted from Frustration to Appreciation:    

1. Center with 7 rounds of deep breathing (5 counts inhale, hold 3, 5 counts exhale and repeat)
2. Out loud, say: “I appreciate the progress I have made. Although maybe not perfect, my forward motion will eventually lead me to my goal.”
3. Add wins, no matter how “small” to your Awesome Jar
4. Keep taking consistent baby steps knowing that you are on the path.   
5. Be gentle with yourself

This shift helped to create an environment for success to grow. Why not give it a try?

To Your Best and Highest,
Kit