If there’s one thing that most ambitious people grapple with, it’s the constant pull between where you want to be and where you are right now. I, like a lot of us are, wants to dream big and don’t want to do half-measures when it comes to ambition. But in chasing those dreams, I’ve realised something important: the rush to produce results, to "make it," can overshadow what really matters—progress.

Embracing the Process

What I’m learning is this: the joy isn’t in the outcome—it’s in the doing. It’s in the late nights where you’re fumbling through an idea, wondering if it’s worth it. It’s in those small wins that remind you why you started in the first place.

For me, it’s about keeping things simple:

• Doing what feels good: Whether it’s a creative project, a fitness or a daily routine, or just taking time to think, focus on what feels meaningful to you.

• Celebrating small wins: Progress might not look like a major breakthrough every day, but small, consistent efforts add up. And that’s worth celebrating.

• Letting go of perfection: The idea that something has to be perfect before it’s shared, completed, or even started? It’s a trap. I’ve learned that done is better than perfect.

Experiencing Life Fully

What if life is about experiencing every shade, every emotion, every aspect of what it means to be alive? The sadness, the heartbreaks, the joy—all of it. Because without sorrow or difficult times, we wouldn’t have a frame of reference to truly value happiness. Likewise, satisfaction of success is heightened by the effort, challenges, or failures that came before it.

So now, I remind myself to welcome it all. The heartbreak teaches resilience. The joy teaches gratitude. To live fully is to embrace all of it, without judgment, without rushing to label something as “good” or “bad.” It’s all part of the process.

Finding Balance in Growth

Growth isn’t linear—that’s one of the lessons I’ve had to embrace this year. Some days you’ll feel like you’re smashing it. Other days, it feels like you’re treading water. But both matters. Both are part of the process.

I remind myself that progress isn’t about comparison, whether that’s with others or some idealised version of myself. It’s about being a little better than I was yesterday, even if it is just 1% better—or even just showing up when I don’t feel like it.

Progress Is Personal

We all have different journeys. For some, it’s about achieving big milestones; for others, it’s about finding joy in the small, everyday wins. For me, it’s somewhere in between—a mix of chasing big dreams while remembering to enjoy the ride.

The lesson I’m holding onto is this: The process is what makes you. The growth, the setbacks, the quiet moments when no one’s watching—that’s where the real magic happens.

To Anyone Reading This

If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck or like you’re not doing “enough,” I hope this reminds you to take a breath. To look back at how far you’ve already come, the progress you have made. To let go of perfection and focus on showing up for yourself. Even if you haven’t made a lot of progress, just be happy knowing that you are alive, which we all take for granted. Because you get to live another day to make progress, however small they are. Because every small step, every tiny bit of effort, is progress—and that’s what really matters.

What’s one small step you’re celebrating today?