The Joy is in the Journey
Remember when you were a kid, and any car trips just seemed to take FOREVER? You’d constantly be asking your exasperated parent or caregiver, “are we there yet?” They would answer “no,” and then you’d ask again five minutes later.
As an adult, have you ever been waiting for something to happen, and you find yourself feeling impatient that it seems to be taking too long or wondering when it will be here?
It could be February, and you’re beginning to get that Spring fever feeling in your bones and are wondering just how long Winter is planning to stick around. Maybe an upcoming event or trip just isn’t getting here quick enough, and you’d like to fast forward in time! Perhaps you’re trying to accomplish something or reach a goal, and you wish you could get there already!
Have you ever noticed, though, that once you get to the destination, get the thing, achieve the goal, the happiness and delight don’t last that long? And then you’re onto the next something. What’s up with that?
Wouldn’t you think that the joy and the pleasure would last for a long time once you have that coveted thing or experience?
The absolute joy lies in…
The JOURNEY
The EXPERIENCE
The PROCESS
Research shows that happiness doesn’t come from achieving goals but the movement towards them. It’s the journey that provides satisfaction and fulfillment.
Think back for a moment to something you wanted or a goal you set.
Was the magic in the process of getting the thing or to the destination, or was it the thing or goal itself?
Think about that one.
Any outdoor trip I’ve planned and experienced, the planning was SO fun and exciting. Deciding where to go, where to stay, looking at possibilities, Imagining myself there. The time between the decision to go and the actual trip was the most fun—the anticipation, the excitement, and imagining myself there. The trip is always a blast, but the planning and the leading up to are where the magic is!
So the real question is… how can we be more patient with where we are and enjoy the journey?
Here are some ideas to help you.
1. Appreciate where you are through presence, patience, and gratitude
Celebrate how far you’ve come! Be open to the possibility that you may be farther along than you think you are. If you aren’t as far as you think you are, know that you are on the right path. You’ll get there!
2. Look back at other times you’ve wanted a material thing or set a goal
You will remember that it was a process, and the best part was getting there and that will help you with your impatience.
I remember several years ago; I set a goal to run a marathon. That was a BIG GOAL that 100% intimidated me. It was a serious stretch for me to believe that was even possible. I was the person at every finish line of a half marathon, literally saying, “I could NEVER run a marathon; I’m SO glad to be finished with that race”! A co-worker of mine did a full marathon, and I told myself that if she could, I could too! I trained for the entire Summer and followed through and did it. It was exhilarating finishing that marathon, and I met loads of super cool people on that course!
When I look back on it, the magic that I experienced was in the process of getting to race day. The joy came from the months of getting out there again and again. The fails, great runs, crappy runs, running in the rain, wind, heat, painful speed work, ice baths, sore feet, and eating massive amounts of food. It was all worth it!
3. Track your progress
What you track expands. Whatever you are waiting for, track your progress! Use a spreadsheet or good old pen and paper. It will also help you focus.
So when you feel impatient, give yourself a gentle reminder that it’s about the process, the journey, the getting to the thing, and you can relax and enjoy the gap between you and your thing way more!
