Fall in love with the process of becoming great

Forget the Destination, Fall in Love with the Journey

Let's be honest, we all want to be great at something. Whether it's being a great parent, a great artist, a great entrepreneur, or just great at making the perfect sourdough bread, we all have a "great" we are chasing. We dream about the finish line: the applause, the successful business, the happy family, the perfectly golden-brown crust. But what if we're looking at it all wrong? What if the real magic isn't in arriving at greatness, but in the journey of getting there?

There's a powerful idea that completely reframes this pursuit: "You have to fall in love with the process of becoming great."

This isn't just a feel-good platitude; it's a game-changing mindset shift. We often treat the "process"—the practice, the hard work, the early mornings, the inevitable setbacks—as a necessary evil we must endure to get to the good stuff. But when you learn to fall in love with that process, everything changes. The journey itself becomes the reward.

The Beauty of the Daily Grind

Think about any significant achievement. A masterful musician doesn't just wake up one day and play a flawless concerto. They fall in love with the feel of the keys under their fingertips, the challenge of mastering a difficult passage, the daily ritual of practice. An athlete who wins a championship doesn't just love the moment they hoist the trophy; they learn to love the burn in their muscles during training, the strategy sessions, the camaraderie with their team.

The process is where life actually happens. It’s the collection of small, seemingly insignificant moments that, when strung together, create the masterpiece. It's the messy first draft, the wobbly pottery on the wheel, the awkward conversation where you're trying to be a better listener.

When you focus only on the outcome, you're essentially wishing your life away. You're saying, "I'll be happy when..." But when you fall in love with the process, you find joy and satisfaction right here, right now. You start to appreciate the beauty in the effort, the elegance in the struggle, and the thrill of incremental progress. Celebrating that you held a yoga pose for two seconds longer than yesterday or that you finally understood a complex concept at work becomes a source of genuine happiness.

Redefining What "Greatness" Even Means

This mindset also helps us redefine greatness itself. We tend to see greatness as a fixed destination, a summit to be conquered. But this view is incredibly limiting and sets us up for disappointment. What if you reach the summit and feel... nothing? Or what if you never quite get there?

Falling in love with the process transforms greatness from a destination into a direction. It’s not about being the best; it’s about being better than you were yesterday. Greatness becomes a continuous, evolving journey of growth. It’s a commitment to showing up, to learning, to trying, and to getting back up when you stumble.

This perspective is so much more compassionate and sustainable. It removes the immense pressure of perfection and replaces it with the quiet joy of progress. You're no longer comparing your messy middle to someone else's highlight reel. Instead, you're focused on your own path, finding delight in the simple act of moving forward.

How Do You "Fall in Love" with the Hard Parts?

Okay, this all sounds wonderful, but how do you actually fall in love with doing something difficult? It's like any relationship—it takes intention and effort.

First, get curious. Instead of dreading a task, approach it with a sense of wonder. What can you learn today? How can you make this tiny part of the process more interesting? Ask questions. Experiment. Play.

Second, practice mindfulness. Be fully present in the task. If you're writing, pay attention to the rhythm of your typing. If you're working out, feel the strength in your body. When you immerse yourself in the present moment, you stop worrying about the outcome and start appreciating the experience itself. This is the heart of finding "flow."

Third, celebrate the small wins. Did you stick to your workout plan for a week? High-five yourself! Did you handle a difficult conversation with grace? Acknowledge it. These small acknowledgments are the fuel that keeps your passion for the process burning bright.

The next time you set a goal for yourself, don't just fixate on the finish line. Look at the path ahead—the early mornings, the challenges, the practice—and ask yourself how you can make that journey the most rewarding part. Because the secret is that greatness isn't a trophy you win. It's a love affair with the process of becoming. And that’s a love story that can last a lifetime.

John