We like instant gratification. Our world is spinning faster and faster and social media is inundating us with instant kitchen transformations and hundred-pound weight loss results, without any of the process.

You only see the highlights in everyone else’s life. Their process is no faster or better than yours, you just see the edited version.

If we are trying to get fitter or thinner, we have to do the work of consistent training and consistent nutrition. It’s the consistency plus time that actually gets results. They edit that part out. You cannot start a diet for two weeks and be upset that you only lost two pounds. Two pounds in two weeks is exceptional. Do that for ten more weeks. Do that for thirty more weeks. You don’t go from zero pounds lost to thirty pounds lost in a short timeframe unless you’re incredibly unhealthy.

The same is true for any new habit or outcome. We can’t expect to magically have a million dollars at retirement if we haven’t been saving and investing money along the way. We can’t expect to magically have a beautiful garden if we haven’t been planting and tending things along the way. We can’t expect to immediately be a professional piano player or expert watercolor painter without learning and practicing and screwing up a lot.

Results require diligence. Improvement requires trying things outside of our comfort zone and asking for help. Long term change requires consistent short term change. These things don’t just magically happen.

We are being exposed to a society where we have edited out the process of change. Social media removes the daily effort and only shows us day 1 and day 100, without any of the work in between. The work is still required.

Be patient. Be faithful. Give yourself a timeline. “I am not going to evaluate the results until day 60”. “I am going to do X for 60 days regardless of the results”. Those are the kinds of mindsets that will make actual change. Removing the outcome as the motivator will actually help you change habits.

It isn’t fair to expect magic and quick results from “hacks” or “life pro tips” or whatever other trendy term is in fashion today. Be consistent. Do hard work. Face the challenge head on. Don’t evaluate the results on a daily basis. Zoom out and evaluate the results from that distance. You’ve made positive change. If you haven’t, it just hasn’t been long enough. Keep going.