Recently, I have read an article titled “10 Pieces of Advice I’d Give My Younger Self: Wisdom Gained with Age.” The first advice really stood out, and it was simple yet deep: “Trust the process, not the timeline.” This resonated deeply because, like many, I’ve often been caught up in the obsession with timelines—by what age we should achieve certain milestones. But life has a way of showing me that, as much as plans are important, they seldom unfold exactly as we expect them to. And learning to trust the process rather than sticking to deadlines is an important lesson in patience, resilience, and faith.
The Obsession with Timelines
We all live in a world that seems to focus on the fastest pace and getting things done right away. From a very young age, we get it programmed into our minds: graduate at this age, secure a job at that age, get married, buy a house—just to name a few. It’s almost as though life came with a checklist, and if you don’t hit the markers on time, you failed.
But life is anything but linear. It ebbs and flows, and more often than not, our best-laid plans are interrupted by life itself. In focusing solely on meeting these deadlines, we miss out on the beauty of the journey itself: experiences, development, failure, and learning, which mold us.
Wisdom of “Kaam ka fal waqt par milta hai”
There is a beautiful Indian proverb: “Kaam ka fal waqt par milta hai,” which translates to “the fruits of labour come at the right time.” This proverb suggests patience and trust in the natural timing of things. Whether it’s career success, personal success, or even clarity in life’s path, everything happens at the right time.
Take the example of one of India’s most beloved actors: Amitabh Bachchan. His early career was riddled with rejections—he was even told that his voice was not suitable for radio. He struggled for years to find a foothold in the film industry, but he did not give up. He trusted the process, remained persistent, and eventually, his hard work paid off.
Today, his deep baritone is one of the most iconic voices in India. His journey from failure to stardom is a testament to the power of patience and perseverance.
In a similar vein, international media mogul Oprah Winfrey faced many challenges in the early stages of her career. She was fired from her first job as a television reporter because she was deemed “unfit for television.” But Oprah didn’t let this setback define her. She believed in the process, learned from her experiences, and went on to build an empire, becoming one of the most influential women globally.
Both Bachchan and Winfrey’s stories highlight a key point: Success isn’t always about how quickly you achieve something but how well you navigate the journey.
It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination
Once, a friend shared a story with me that stuck with me. She once went on a Himalayan trek to a high-altitude lake. As the trek grew more challenging, she became so focused on reaching the top that she stopped appreciating the beautiful scenery around her. When she finally reached the top, she realized she had rushed through the journey and missed the beauty along the way.
Life is a lot like that trek. We get so fixated on reaching our goals—be it a promotion, a relationship, or personal achievement—that we forget to focus on the process. But the journey itself is just as important, if not more so, than the destination. The growth, setbacks, and lessons learned along the way shape us into who we are meant to become.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.” This quote reminds us to stay present and give our best to the process, rather than constantly worrying about the outcome. It’s the small, consistent efforts over time that lead to big changes, not the arbitrary timelines we set for ourselves.
Patience: The Key to Long-Term Success
In a world driven by instant gratification, patience is often seen as a weakness. But real growth takes time. Whether you’re building a career, nurturing a relationship, or working on personal development, the process cannot be rushed. Take the Chinese bamboo tree, for example: it doesn’t break through the ground for the first five years. But once it starts growing, it can shoot up to 90 feet in just a few weeks. For those first five years, it seems like nothing is happening, but below the surface, the tree is developing a strong root system to support its future growth.
The lesson here is that just because we don’t see immediate results doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made. Trust the process, even when it feels like nothing is happening, because the foundation for your future success is being laid in ways you cannot see.
A Caring Approach Toward Life
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to be kind to myself. Sometimes, we set rigid timelines and then spiral into self-criticism when we don’t meet them. But life isn’t a race, and everyone’s journey unfolds at its own pace. The pressure to meet societal expectations can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that there is no single “right” timeline for success or happiness.
As Albert Einstein once said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” Success and fulfillment are not measured by how quickly you achieve your goals but by how fully you live your life. By focusing on the process rather than the timeline, we give ourselves the space to grow, evolve, and thrive.
Closing Remarks
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: “Trust the process, not the timeline.” Life is a series of ups and downs, and the path to success is rarely straightforward. Embrace the journey, have faith in your efforts, and trust that things will unfold when the time is right. The timelines we set for ourselves are arbitrary; what truly matters is how we grow along the way.
Learn more about how to become a Top Performer at: ORL Leadership Summit 2024.
Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA,
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Senior Professor and former Head,
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius. I want to be a person with a bundle of experience.
My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!
My Values: Creating value for others.
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