Progress is Invisible... Until it Isn't

When it feels like nothing is working, just keep pushing

Author

Jason Griffing
January 12, 2025

In today’s edition of Impactful Ideas, we’ll continue our exploration of James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits. This time, we’ll focus on an important reminder to stay persistent even when you feel stuck.

🎯 The Idea In a Nutshell:

  • Driving meaningful change in our lives often means overcoming our need for instant gratification.

  • Visible results can be slow to materialize.

  • But even though we can’t always see it, every step we take is moving us closer to the tipping point where results become visible.

  • Stay the course.

📝 Diving Deeper

When nothing seems to help, I go and look at the stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it—but all that had gone before.

Jacob Riis — Social reformer

Visit the San Antonio Spurs locker room, and you’ll find the above quote prominently posted on the wall. It perfectly captures the essential skill for new habit formation — persistence.

There’s a paradox involved in driving meaningful change: new habits require maximum effort up front, but results can be slow to materialize.

There’s a leap of faith involved. We have to trust the process, to accept that progress is often invisible. Until it isn’t.

  • Our children don’t notice our efforts to be more patient, but one day we realize that the whole feel of our relationship with them has become easier.

  • We don’t see any results from our new diet and fitness regime until one day we realize that we look and feel decidedly better.

  • Our new business venture sputters along then suddenly hits explosive growth.

There was no single action that produced these breakthrough moments. The effect was cumulative. Even when it felt like nothing was working, every step you took played a critical role in your journey.

👉 Why it matters:

  • As busy fathers and leaders, we are constantly spread thin; recognizing the value of small, consistent actions can help us stay committed to our goals.

  • Persistence is king.

  • When it feels like nothing is happening, keep pushing.

🤔 Prompts for Reflection

  • Think of a habit you’ve been trying to build. How can you remind yourself that each small action is a step toward your goal?

  • Reflect on a time when persistence paid off for you. What did you learn from that experience?

  • Consider an area where you feel stuck. How might embracing the power of persistence help you move forward?

Make today impactful,
~Jason