Trusting the process in no matter what you do takes practice. For me, in my younger days, I didn’t have the patience to do that. I wanted to speed it along. To rush in order to get to the end product. What I have come to learn is that the process IS the product. Maybe not the end product. But it is what it’s all about. And that must remain in “Long Form.” There can be no short cuts. No more than you skipping the rising of the dough before making bread. It’s part of it.
Now, I enjoy the process – more. Sometimes, I still get frustrated. But what I am able to do is to trust the process much more now and not focus on the end result nearly as much. Let’s be honest, I’m still human.
My son is taking pitching lesson’s as he’s a baseball player and knowing him, he wants to throw faster than anyone his age. He is being taught to do a series of mechanical steps with his body before the ball even leaves his hand. Often times he wants to skip to the end, and as a result, either the ball isn’t a strike or it’s at a velocity he’s not happy with. And most of the time it’s because he is not executing each and every step. He’s rushing to the end. When he focuses on the mechanics of the pitch – breaking it down to touch upon each task which makes up his pitching motion without rushing – he throws a great pitch with high velocity. It’s like magic. But, then he gets anxious the next time because he wants to do it even harder. Then he hurries the motion and we’re back to throwing the ball in the dirt again.
This goes for anything. Sports related or not. Come up with a plan, solidify tasks that will take you in the direction you want to go and execute them. If you don’t like the results, make adjustments and repeat. Just like baseball. You can’t take it personally and if you strike out, go back to the dugout knowing you will get another “at-bat.” Refine your approach and do it again.
Most importantly, trust the process.