How To Find Real Inspiration and Progress: The Slow and Steady Journey

Hey Peak Point Fitness family! Today, I want to dive deep into a topic that’s close to my heart—and I’m sure it’s something you’ve wrestled with as well. It’s about finding inspiration, embracing your journey, and allowing yourself the time to grow. The truth is, the road to success, whether it’s in fitness, work, or life, is rarely a straight line. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, resilience, and the ability to keep moving forward, even when progress feels like it's slowing to a crawl.

Inspiration Doesn’t Strike, It Reveals Itself

Let’s start with the first quote:

"Inspiration comes on the twenty-fifth attempt, not the first. If you want to make something excellent, don't wait for a brilliant idea to strike. Create twenty-five of what you need and one will be great. Inspiration reveals itself after you get the average ideas out of the way, not before you take the first step."

Too often, we expect brilliance right out of the gate. We want that perfect workout routine, that flawless diet plan, or that instant boost of energy to push us forward. But here's the reality: excellence is a product of repetition and consistency. You have to be willing to start, even if your first attempt feels far from great. Just like in fitness, you’re not going to hit a personal record on day one. It’s the process of showing up, again and again, that leads to true breakthroughs.

Think about this: When you go to the gym, the first few reps might feel awkward, heavy, or uncoordinated. But after the 25th, 50th, or even 100th attempt, your form improves, your strength increases, and suddenly, you find yourself doing things you once thought were impossible.

So, take action today—no matter how messy, imperfect, or unrefined it may seem. Remember, inspiration isn’t a lightning bolt from above; it’s something you uncover as you clear away the clutter of those first few attempts.

Reframing Your Past: Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones

Next, let's unpack this powerful idea:

"You can't change your past, but you can reframe it. Find the lesson in it. Find the opportunity in it. Pull the teachable moment out of it and share with others. You can't choose your history, but you can choose the story you tell about it."

We’ve all been there—looking back at our past mistakes, regrets, or setbacks, wishing we could rewrite those chapters. But guess what? The past is written in ink, not pencil. And that’s okay. While you can’t change what’s already happened, you have the incredible power to reframe it.

Did you skip workouts for an entire month? It’s not a failure; it’s a chance to learn about why it happened and how to prevent it next time. Did you fall off your diet plan? Great! Now you know what your triggers are and can plan better for them in the future.

Your past doesn’t define your future. It’s just a collection of lessons, waiting for you to extract their wisdom. Every experience you’ve had, whether positive or negative, is a building block for the person you’re becoming. Share those stories, teach others what you’ve learned, and you’ll find that your setbacks were simply setups for your greatest comebacks.

Embrace the Slow Progress: It’s a Two-Year Journey, Not Two Months

Finally, let’s talk about patience:

"Two years, not two months. The visible progress you're hoping for usually comes slower than you'd like. Even with consistent effort it can take a long time before progress feels significant. It might be a year of writing and editing before the book really starts to come together. You may need two years of recovery from a major injury before you notice just how far you've come. It may take two years of yoga before you realize how flexible you have become. Take a deep breath, stop worrying about immediate results, and settle into a nice routine."

This is the tough one, right? In a world of instant gratification, we want results now. We want to see the pounds shed, the muscles grow, and the energy levels skyrocket overnight. But that’s not how real progress works. True change, the kind that lasts, happens gradually.

Imagine a tree growing. It doesn’t shoot up to its full height in a week, a month, or even a year. It takes time, but every day, it inches closer to its full potential. Your journey is no different. Give yourself the grace to progress at your own pace. Celebrate the small wins—whether it’s lifting five pounds more than last month, running an extra mile, or simply getting out of bed and making it to the gym.

It’s easy to feel disheartened when you’re not seeing immediate results, but remember, every step forward—no matter how small—brings you closer to your goal. It might not be visible today, but give it two years, and you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.

The Takeaway: Your Journey Is Worth It

So, what’s the message here?

• Start now. Don’t wait for perfection or inspiration to strike. Get those average attempts out of the way and let greatness reveal itself.

• Reframe your setbacks. Your past is filled with valuable lessons that can guide your future. Use them to build a stronger, wiser version of yourself.

• Be patient. Embrace the long journey and find joy in the process. It’s not about how fast you get there; it’s about staying committed to the path.

You’re not just building a healthier body—you’re crafting a resilient, unstoppable mindset. And that, my friends, is where the true transformation lies.

So, the next time you feel stuck, uninspired, or frustrated by slow progress, remember: You’re on a journey that’s worth every single step. Take a deep breath, keep moving, and trust that you’re headed exactly where you need to be.

Let’s keep going, together.

You’ve got this!