How many times have you felt disappointed with the progress you’re making?
You pulled at your hair and yelled at yourself:
Get a grip.
You need to change.
Grow up!
It happens. We get to phases of life when our development irks us. Maybe you fall into an old habit, find yourself being impatient, or progress slowly in your career. It could be anything, something you don’t like about you.
Most people, at this point, fall into self-pity, more hard work, or a faulty determination to change.
But rage and intense irritation that make you dislike yourself do more harm than good. As much as the gurus appraise that approach, it leaves you gnawing at self-validation that comes from a progress you can’t reach—not in the state of hating yourself and wishing you were something else.
You can be dissatisfied and be at peace with yourself. It takes an acknowledgement of where you’re at, knowing what you don’t like, and giving yourself grace as you make changes.
We are quick to extend compassion to others. But we find so little to give ourselves when we need it. Give yourself grace. Grace does not mean laziness or indiscipline. It is allowing yourself room to grow.
It is being realistic and removing the self-criticism that comes when change takes time. Grace gives you the freedom to make mistakes, get up, and push again, all without holding an internal trial. It gives you the patience to change old habits and the discipline to walk a different path.
Be patient.
You achieve more when you acknowledge the improvements you make, admit the setbacks, without feeling like the biggest dork in the world.
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Cover image by Jefferson Sees on Unsplash .
