It’s not a very sexy concept. And what makes it even more difficult is this pervading expectation of instant results that our society is enamoured with that I call the Instagram Fallacy. Patiently working at a goal for five to ten years is an impossible thought in an age of 15-second Tik-Tok videos, but it’s the surest way to lasting success.
For some reason, any principle that uses time as a means of leverage is always a powerful force to be reckoned with because it calls on the power of the universe to provide the results.
Social intelligence, good looks, physical health or I.Q. alone won’t do it. You need Grit. Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The author, Angela Duckworth, says, Grit is a better predictor of success than I.Q., upbringing, and social intelligence. That’s a pretty powerful discovery that levels the playing field for everyone - everyone that is willing to stick to goals over time patiently, that is.
Become comfortable with the progress of time because it will proceed no matter what. It's not the kind of time that passes without purpose or direction. Focus on the bigger picture - lifelong progress. Leverage the power of daily or weekly increments and tap into the law of compound growth. It’s the only way to accumulate wins over time whilst you enjoy life in the present.
I know that many of our daily tasks or habits can be tedious and time-consuming, but they will transform your efforts into achievement with the right mindset. Keep your head down and do the work because the aggregation of all your small habits will lead to greatness.
It’s easy to feel like you’ll never be able to catch up or get ahead, but the truth is that playing the long game is the only way to win.
Be patient.
Invest your time wisely.
Keep your eyes on the big picture and pace yourself. In the next 11 months, see where you are. I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised.