The Long Road to Recovery: My Journey from Instant Gratification to Real Results

In today’s fast-paced world, we often chase immediate results. Whether it's weight loss, healing from an injury, or overcoming emotional challenges, the desire for quick fixes can be overwhelming. I understand this urge all too well. It was 3 years after the collision, my physical recovery was still moving forward yet slower. My coaching however was "taking forever" to build, “Nothing is working!” However, my experiences taught me one vital lesson: real changes take time.

Understanding the Temptation of Instant Results

At the start of my recovery I had lost everything. My body, my 15year career, my daughter, my marriage, my home... Everything. I was desperate to get back what I had as quickly as I could. I believed that if I "just did this, or just did that, the numbers would soar in my new career of choice. I remember scrolling through countless "coaching gurus" thinking if I just did their free offer or "massively reduced offer". I would be able to be off disability within weeks, thinking my journey would mirror theirs. However, when the money scale didn’t change after a few weeks, my excitement turned to disappointment.

For example, studies show that people who aim for sustainable business growth (90% of start ups have a high failure rate within the first five years) are more successful in the long run compared to those who pursue get rich quick mentalities. I had to learn that those quick results would not lead to lasting success—sustainable progress requires commitment and endurance.

The Setbacks That Shape Us

Setbacks are a part of any recovery journey. One of my toughest challenges was recovering from a serious injury. I recall the first time I woke up in the ICU. The pain was unimaginable, but the emotional and mental struggle took every ounce of perseverance I had. It was exhausting. I wanted to return to the body I had "immediately, but my body needed time to heal before I would start seeing results.

Weeks turned into months, filled with frustrating physical and emotional therapy sessions. I would often leave thinking that the effort was pointless. However, I gradually learned to value each small victory. For instance, the first time I could lift my leg a little higher while exercising felt monumental. Each tiny step was a building block toward recovery, illustrating that patience is crucial in the healing process. I learned my business should be treated no different

Learning Patience Through Grief

My journey extended beyond physical recovery; I also faced the deep emotional pain of losing a loved one. Initially, I desperately searched for “5 Ways to Get Over Grief Fast,” hoping for some quick remedy. Instead, I discovered that grief is a journey with no set timeline, much like physical healing.

Time plays a significant role in healing from loss. I’ve learned to grant myself grace during tough days. Allowing myself to feel sadness and understanding that healing can be slow helped me cope better. Research indicates that actively processing grief can take anywhere from six months to two years, highlighting how essential it is to be patient with ourselves in these situations.

Small Steps Lead to Big Changes

Focusing on incremental progress transformed my mindset. Instead of aiming for drastic changes, I concentrated on one change at a time—this made my journey manageable. For instance, I started creating a list of "daily/weekly/monthly opperational tasks" . By tracking these aspects, I realized I was making strides far beyond what I initially recognized.

When I celebrated small improvements, such as my first summit, my first in person talk of 3 people, I felt empowered. Just as I learned to appreciate these daily changes, I began to see how they collectively contributed to my overall business growth and transformation of a business I was just jumping into.

The long journey to recovery often starts with small steps on a serene path.

Accepting the Journey

Recognizing that the journey is as important as the destination offered me hope. Instead of pressuring myself to "be successful right now". I accepted that true business growth is a winding path filled with ups and downs. I began to look forward to my "failures" because I could turn them into learning oppertunities... "How can I make this better, what can I do different?" Celebrating every milestone, no matter how small.

It’s easy to compare our progress to others, especially with social media’s constant showcase of dramatic transformations. However, I reminded myself consistently that my journey is unique, with its own rhythm and pace.

Building a Support Network

Having a supportive network made a tremendous difference during new entrapenurial career. Friends, family, and professionals provided encouragement when I needed it most. Engaging in open conversations about grief, trauma, and taking those lessons and applying them to growth in business has helped me feel less isolated. Collaborative efforts in building help create a sense of community, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.

Mindset Matters

Transforming my mindset was vital to my journey. Rather than fixating on what I lacked—like immediate outcomes—I began to celebrate my commitment and consistency. Mindfulness emerged as a powerful tool; by focusing on the present, I was able to ease the anxiety of wanting quick results.

By setting daily intentions, I embraced gratitude for the progress I’ve made, which has, in turn, motivated me. Gaining appreciation for not only my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual recovery but also what it takes to build a sustainable business. The journey of being consistent and trusting the process was a pivotal shift in my mindset.

Embracing the Process

In a society that often glorifies instant success, facing the long road or recovery while building business can feel daunting. However, the reality is that significant results usually take time. They require dedication, vulnerability, and resilience. It has taken me 7.5 YEARS to get back majority of what I had before the collision, my financial sustainability, majority of my body, my ability to trust myself, knowledge AND finally this summer, a home similar to what I had where my family can thrive and business can grow even more. It wasn't a short few weeks or a few short months. The slow and steady growth AND set backs in business enabled that success.

While the journey might be filled with uncertainty and moments of doubt, it is also rich with chances for personal growth. If you find yourself feeling impatient for results, consider embracing the process. Remember, real recovery from grief, injury, diagnosis or any challenge does not happen overnight. Allow yourself the freedom to take one step at a time; you might be amazed at how far you can reach through patience and perseverance.

The journey of recovery flows gently, like a river, steady and persistent.