In the proverbial ocean of self-improvement advice, the bottom is probably the same as the surface—full of good intentions that never quite make it to shore.
When I'm far away from the main source of motivation (you know, that burst of New Year energy or post-TED talk euphoria), the only way to salvage the situation is to find other pockets of inspiration that are within my reach.
But alas, this isn't unlike finding a needle in a haystack.
Even though I'm sure there's a needle out there, the cost of finding it isn't really worth the emotional excavation.
So instead of finding a happy medium between consistency and getting better at a craft, I just grind it till I make it.
This is what consistently going for walks has taught me.
You just keep walking and walking without the constant desire for a grand destination or a dramatic vista at every turn.
No profound revelations at mile two.
No life-changing epiphanies by the park bench.
Just one foot, then the other, repeat.
It's the cumulative effort and steady rhythm that eventually gets you somewhere.
Dare I say looking back when walking is like reliving old mistakes or second-guessing past decisions?
Well, sometimes it does to me.
Even after miles covered and progress made, the temptation to dwell on what could have been still tugs at the periphery.
It's a funny and self-defeating habit.
I catch myself wondering if I'm "doing it right" or if I should be walking faster, longer, with better posture, or while listening to educational podcasts.
Guess I may never know any of these answers and that's probably the point.
There's a sense of admirable respect for people who put their money where their mouth is, not because they have the money to do that but mainly because they're betting on themselves and embracing the tangible risk required for real growth.
It's a commitment that transcends mere words. Hence, walking the talk.
I sometimes view it through a lens of quiet envy since such kind of people may also have figured out that showing up is 90% of the game.
The other 10%?
That's just showing up again tomorrow.
The truth is, very few significant achievements emerge from a single stroke of genius or a lucky break.
This is obviously well known yet somehow there are still people waiting for lightning to strike twice.
Definitely, some days are really about grand leaps, breakthrough moments that feel like crossing a finish line.
But I'm sure most other days entail putting one foot in front of the other, trusting that the cumulative steps will lead you somewhere interesting.
And if failure comes, it's not a total surprise. Just another part of the relentless walk forward.
Collect small wins like pocket change. It adds up faster than you'd think.
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