Stop Chasing Success, You're Doing It Wrong!
Your Obsession with Results is Screwing You Over
Ever feel like you're running in circles? You're chasing your dreams but never catching up. Don't sweat it, we've all been there. We get caught up in the numbers game - followers, likes, pounds lost, cash in the bank.
The real magic happens when you stop obsessing over the finish line and start digging the road that gets you there. I know, I know, it sounds like some fortune cookie wisdom, but hear me out. I'm about to drop some nuggets on why falling head over heels for the journey might just be the ultimate life hack.
Why Being Results-Obsessed Sucks
We're living in a world where everything's instant. We want it all, and we want it five minutes ago. But here's the thing: real, lasting success? It doesn't play by those rules. When we're laser-focused on outcomes, we're basically setting ourselves up for a face-plant. Focusing on outcomes leads to disappointment, especially if things aren't happening quickly enough. You know, you're not making the money you want to make. You're not getting the views, the likes, the follows—whatever your thing is.
Really, the biggest hack for accomplishing your goals is to follow and love the process more than the outcome. You should focus on the process. You really have to shift that mindset to the actual process, to the actual system. And that's what you need to enjoy. That's what you need to focus on.
X Marks The Spot
I've had a Twitter/X account for nearly 15 years, but for the first decade, it was basically a ghost town - we're talking 80 followers max. In 2021, I tried to grow it, posting daily and all that jazz, but got nowhere. Frustrated, I quit.
Fast forward to August this year. I decided to give it another shot, but with a twist. Instead of obsessing over follower counts, I focused on the process: writing good content, engaging with people, and actually enjoying the platform. The result? I've gained about 650 followers since then - mid-September as I write this.
There was no magic formula. I just showed up, did the work, and enjoyed the ride. Sure, I peek at the stats occasionally, but it's not about the numbers anymore. It's about putting out good stuff and connecting with people. That's the real win.
Walking the Walk (Literally)
I've always put off walking because after working all day, by evening, I didn't want to do anything or go out. I didn't want to drive to the park. It's 10-15 minutes away, and there are no sidewalks where I live. So, you can't walk there safely.
So I changed my mindset. Instead of trying to do it at the end of the day, I started doing it first thing in the morning. I adjusted my schedule to get up earlier so I'd have time in the morning for a walk. Now, I'm enjoying just going for a walk; it's something that's becoming instilled in me, ingrained in my routine. It's becoming a habit, and I'm enjoying it.
Knowing there are health benefits like weight loss is nice, but I'm not really focusing on that. I'm just focusing on getting up and enjoying the walk. It's nice just before sunrise when you get that transition from dark to day. Plus, the energy I get allows me to dive into writing and other tasks before I start getting into coding at my day job.
The Bottom Line
Build a system around your goal, and go all in on it. Knowing as long as you show up every day and keep working at it, you will hit the outcome. You will achieve that goal. Things will work out for you.
So, next time you're tempted to obsess over the results, take a step back. Ask yourself: "Am I enjoying the process? Am I learning and growing?" Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. The journey is where the real magic happens. Embrace it, love it, and watch how it transforms not just your goals, but your whole damn life.
Quote of the Day:
"True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future." - Seneca
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You can find me on X and LinkedIn.