Embracing Slow Progress

Author: Mahmud Bezalel

During a question-and-answer session while hosting The Daily Show, Trevor Noah a South African celebrity, told the audience that growing up, he never longed for fame or excessive wealth. All he wanted as a child was to have just enough money to purchase a favourite dish at a restaurant. 

But today, not only can he do that, he has enough money to purchase said restaurant, and he’s famous enough to cause a stir if he attempts to eat publicly. 

All these wouldn’t have been possible if he allowed himself to be plunged into despair because of his family’s economic status at that time. 

A recent example? 

Tunde Onakoya; the Nigerian Chess Guru who has attempted breaking a Guinness World Record. 

He definitely had dreams growing up, but if you ask him if he thought he would be where he is now. Thankfully, he’s a truthful person and has given a series of interviews, so we know his answer would have been no. His famous quote “You can do great things from a small place,“ sums this up. 

But here he is today. Doing big things. Doing bigger things. 

The issue of slow progress is battled by almost every creative. There are times you feel you’re really on to something, there’s hype, you’re pumped, everything is good. And there are times it seems like a false start and there’s really nothing happening. Sadly, the bouts of seeming stagnation always exceed the period of activities, especially for beginners. 

And this is where 80%+ of people give up or stop the inclination of progression. Don’t join that flight, the ticket may be cheap, but the destination is horrid. 

For you, let the period of doubt be the time you take on more responsibilities. Let it be the time you establish yourself as a resilient person who doesn’t give up. 

Slow progress leads to development. 

A 0% increase in skill every day is not the same as a 0.1% increase every day, at the end of the year. 

Though 0.1% is small, very small to be honest, the results would be different and more positive than what would have been if a person did nothing. 

It’s that simple. 

The buzz on social media, and the various ‘doings’ we witness every day always make it seem as though the only thing you’ve come to do in this life is to “Press Phone.”

But as long as you keep showing up, and you keep doing your best, you’ll create a new tunnel. No need to wait for a light to appear.

“What is worth doing, is worth doing well.”

The dividends of your endless classes, your sleepless nights, may not be visible now. However, rest assured that this lack of visibility is only caused by a fog of slow progress. Eventually, this fog will be lifted and a clear skyline view of success will become visible, without the need to strain your eyes.

Hey, lovelily we can’t wait to celebrate your wins. Brace up! You can do it.