When you’re on a mission to achieve your goals, you’re so focused on getting the end result, you don’t take the time to appreciate the steps you’ve already taken to get you there. Because of what you did then, is the reason you’re here now. Maybe small steps are all you’re capable of in this very moment.

We often deceive ourselves into thinking we’re just not doing enough when in reality, we’re doing more than most people on a given day. You always want to strive to do just a little more than you did the day before but consistency is what really matters. Not giving up is what really matters.

So for today, I want you to just focus on where you are now. Congratulate yourself on the fact that you’re a step closer than you were yesterday. Think back to the work you’ve already put in and appreciate what YOU did to keep the progress going. If it wasn’t for your will to start the journey, there’d be no path to walk on. This is the only time it’s appropriate to look behind you, to remember the past and revisit what’s already been done.

Small wins are exactly what they sound like, and are part of how keystone habits create widespread changes.

Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change

Instead of feeling regret for my past, I look at how far I’ve made it. I definitely had help along the way but hell, I deserve credit for all the work I put in because I made that choice. My journey is done at my own pace, even though I may not like it all the time given our impatient human nature, but at least I’m the one that’s walking the path. I’m watching my foot go in front of the other.

My progress, my growth is not because of someone else’s efforts. My success today is not measured by the same standards as someone else’s journey. Neither is yours. Your big steps can be someone else’s small steps and vice versa. Both deserve to be appreciated and both deserve the attention when they’re a part of creating your bigger picture.

Because of what you did then, is the reason you’re here now

We live our lives hustling our way to the top once we make the decision to fight for what we want because we don’t want to go back to feeling like we won’t amount to anything… but we forget that it’s all that work we need to be proud of. Taking that time to acknowledge the improvements, the wins and everything in between before getting to the final mark create the perfect reflection opportunity for your mind.

I can only imagine what a wild ride it’s been for you. It must’ve taken blood, sweat, and tears along with doubt and frustration, but you made a conscious choice every day to keep moving forward. That end result you’ve been striving for is going to be more than you ever imagined, all thanks to YOU.