Progress, Not Perfection: The Secret to Noticing Your Growth

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you’re working, the finish line still looks far away?

Most of us were taught to measure success by the distance left to go rather than the distance already traveled. But growth happens with every action you take toward your goals. Even when you don’t notice it, growth is there, building quietly in the background.

Try this perspective shift: instead of focusing on how far you have to go, look at how far you’ve already come. Every living thing grows at its own pace.

The lesson in my garden

Here in eastern Pennsylvania, cooler air has arrived, leaves are changing, and my raised beds are winding down. The tomato and pepper plants are straggly now, and the herbs are ready to be trimmed and preserved. After the first frost, we’ll clear out the planters and prep for next year.

This year, I noticed something wonderful at the start of the season. Two tomato plants sprouted outside the raised container. We didn’t plant them. They were volunteers, popping up strong and healthy where last fall there was just soil.

That surprise reminded me: growth often happens unseen or unplanned. Seasons change everywhere, even if the signs are subtle. When I lived in California, I learned to notice the shift in light and the quiet color changes in the leaves. Subtle does not mean absent.

Because we’re conditioned to focus on the gap instead of the gain, we miss the significance of silent growth. That’s when the comparison trap kicks in and we feel behind, even while we’re progressing. In school, many of us were urged to keep up rather than to notice our own forward motion. What I know now, and wish I’d known then: you are exactly where you’re supposed to be on the path you’re walking.

There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Ask any Olympic athlete, musician, actor, or entrepreneur. Mastery is built through study, practice, and persistence. If they can build it, so can you.

What this looked like in my diabetes journey

When I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I initially expected that a week or two of oral medication would lower my blood sugar and A1C. When the changes didn’t happen instantly, I felt frustrated and even angry—at my body and the process. I overlooked the small wins: steadier glucose readings, a slowly dropping number on the scale, and the simple fact that I felt better.

Intellectually, I knew change takes time. Emotionally, I wanted it yesterday. Sound familiar?

When I paused and paid attention to each step, I could see it—evidence of growth in many areas of my life. I just hadn’t been looking for it. I’d been trained to fixate on the distance to the goal rather than acknowledge the progress already made.

Practical ways to notice your growth

Use these simple tools to make progress visible:

• Keep a progress journal of small wins
  A sentence a day works. Glucose a little steadier? Took a five-minute walk? Chose protein at lunch? Write it down.
  
  

• Capture monthly snapshots
  Take quick photos or jot notes about health, lifestyle, and mindset. Side-by-side comparisons are powerful.
  
  

• Ask for a mirror
  Invite a trusted friend or coach to reflect changes they see in you. Others often notice what we miss.
  
  

• Reframe setbacks as data
  A stumble is information, not a verdict. Learning equals progress, even when it’s uncomfortable.
  
  

Celebrate milestones with small rewards
Pair achievements with a treat that supports your goals: a new water bottle, a cozy walk, a favorite playlist. Confetti is optional but highly encouraged.

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