Relax. The Path To Success Is A Process
Cierra Johnson offers a timely and soul-centering reflection on the journey to purpose and achievement. With wisdom rooted in faith, patience, and self-awareness, she challenges readers to slow down, release comparison, and embrace the process rather than the pace. Tackling the influence of social media, the pressure to be seen, and the obsession with end results, this article is an empowering reminder that true success is not instant—it's intentional. Whether you're feeling behind or simply overwhelmed, this read will help you breathe, refocus, and trust your unique path.
INSPIRATION
Cierra Johnson
8/2/20252 min read
The famous saying, “Direction is more important than speed,” serves as a reminder to appreciate your progress. Before you read any further, please take a moment to reflect on what those six words remind you of in your own life. Now, ask yourself why you focus on the speed of your journey rather than the actual direction of it. There are various aspects of life that may cause you to become discouraged about how you will achieve success, but if you remain focused on your purpose and growth, your destiny will come to pass. The world needs what only you are able to offer. Therefore, it is time to get still, relax, and realize that your journey is a process. Social media, Anticipating the end result and the desire to be well-known causes many millennials to compare their state of success to others.
SOCIAL MEDIA DISCOURAGEMENT
Envious feelings may creep up in your bones, as you have just had a long week of financial struggle, and you see a friend on Instagram thanking God for blessing her with a surprise check. Or, maybe, you just found out that you won’t have enough funds to attend another year of college, and you see someone posting his new scholarship on Twitter. Though social media is an excellent tool for branding and networking, it is also a playground for the ‘comparison game.’ Many millennials state that the content shared on social media (fancy cars, mansions, married couples, etc.) causes them to feel behind in life. Though those things seem appealing, one must realize that what is shared on social media is what people want you to see. In other words, they too have to endure the process of reaching success. The comparison game is often played without understanding each other’s process. If you catch yourself comparing your journey to the journey of others, here are a few helpful suggestions: Spend less time on social media, and more time building yourself up, speak affirmations over yourself daily, and pray that God will help you focus on your path.
ANTICIPATING THE END RESULT
Before you are there, you must be here. Excitement about the end result is not an uncommon feeling, however, it is wise to seek patience and focus during the process of achieving your goals. At times, you may have been so focused on the outcome that you either missed on the joy of the journey. Although the process of reaching your dreams, goals, and aspirations will come with a bit of pain, imagine the amount of gratitude you will feel once you have achieved the success you wanted. It is the effort, dedication, passion, and commitment that allows the end result to be as remarkable as it should be. “Nothing worth having comes easy, and nothing that comes easy is worth having.”
THE DESIRE TO BE WELL-KNOWN
Many have heard the famous saying, “What is for you is for you, and that cannot be taken away. What is for them is for them, and that cannot be taken away.” Many individuals are more focused on wanting to be well-known rather than increasing the excellence of their craft. It is important to maintain a humble spirit in the midst of reaching the success you desire, because praise can easily become one’s validation. Remind yourself that your identity is not found in the amount of likes, comments, or views you receive, but instead, it is found in your identity with God.
