The Strain Of Progress

In my conversations with entrepreneurs on a (mostly) daily basis, I’ve noticed many share the strain of progress.

The strain is this: “I should be further along than I am.” “Things should be like that, yet they’re like this.”

That little word – ‘should’ – is where all the tension lies. We seemingly get it from comparing what others claim their efforts produce, or how a culture defines success, then comparing our reality to that aspiration.

There’s a beauty in the realization that what others say isn’t necessarily true, what culture defines as success isn’t universally correct, and there’s no right or wrong answer to your journey.

The alternative, of course, is to live with the curse of believing others are always better than you, smarter than you, faster than you and more fulfilled than you.

Progress is found in the pursuit of meaningful work as it was designed. You’re the designer. Not Entrepreneur Magazine, not your church or community, not your Instagram feed.

You.