Most of the time, our progress is imperceptible. Growth happens slowly, but with focused effort and consistency, it compounds over time. Growth happens in the dark, unforeseen places where potential is built and stored until it can flower into fruition.
The roots of the tree must run deep before fruit appears on the branches. The theory of marginal gains (popularized by Author James Clear) shifts the process of change from making large adjustments to making small, consistent, improvements. Getting 1% better every day will produce a dramatic effects with enough time.
“I won’t buy anything else on the internet this year.”
The problem with making progressive changes is that we often don’t see the results right away. This lack of positive feedback can cause us to quit before reach the breakthrough. We stop before we get rewarded with the positive results of our hard work.
Discouragement comes from the belief that the process of growth is linear, when in reality growth is a never ending process of trial and error, of failure and striving. We often fail to push through the inevitable plateaus that dissuade our efforts.
The hidden potential of our growth is often greater than we can ever see. When prioritize the right things, there is always more that meets the eye. We must be willing to trust the unseen investments of time, effort, and resources will pay dividends even when we can’t see them.
Here are three pictures of growth that speak to this paradoxical reality:
The Iceberg
Bamboo Plants
Ice Cubes
The Airplane
Our growth potential is often hidden, but we shouldn’t give up. In the long run no investment is ever wasted when we pursue our purpose and commit to excellence.
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The Habits of Excellence