Have you ever felt like throwing in the damn towel?

Embracing slow progress might be the hardest damn thing you’ll do. I’ve been sitting at my desk lately, staring at a mountain of work, feeling like I’m crawling through cement with each tiny step forward.

But here’s the truth we need to face: building anything worthwhile is painfully, frustratingly slow—and that’s exactly how it should be.

The Truth About Embracing Slow Progress in Business

Time becomes both your greatest asset and your worst enemy. And forget that “four-hour work week” fantasy — that doesn’t apply when you’ve got kids, a job, limited resources, and real-life energy levels.

I’m living in the “which hour of the day do I sacrifice?” reality. Sound familiar?

Then there’s the money pit — subscriptions, software, websites, email services — all these things supposedly help you scale, but they’re actually draining your bank account while you’re still figuring things out.

What’s worse? Instagram makes it look like everyone else is crushing it with their perfect content, perfect audience, and perfect business. But remember: we’re seeing highlight reels, not exhaustion, bruises, and late nights.

Why Your Struggle Is Your Strength

Here’s what I want you to understand: your brain is physically rewiring neural pathways during this process. The struggle isn’t separate from growth — it IS the growth.

When I first started as a photography assistant, I wanted to call in sick every day because I felt so out of place. Years later, I was running my own photography business and travelling the world. The difference wasn’t talent — it was simply staying in the game long enough.

That voice telling you it’s all been done before? Silence it. The world doesn’t need another carbon copy. It needs YOUR unique perspective, YOUR specific lens, YOUR particular way of explaining things that will resonate with people when nothing else has.

The art of embracing slow progress requires you to silence that voice telling you everyone else is moving faster.

How Embracing Slow Progress Transforms Your Journey

I love this analogy: When you pour water from one container to another, there’s a chaotic moment where everything splashes and makes a mess. Nothing elegant about it.

That’s exactly what transformation looks like — messy, uncomfortable, uncertain. But then it finds its rhythm and settles.

Your progress right now looks and feels chaotic, but in time, it will smooth out. It will find its systems, its direction, its clarity.

Tools for Embracing Slow Progress Without Burning Out

When I feel stuck, I use two specific tools:

1: Historical Scan: I write down the major things that happened in the past year to remind myself of how far i’ve come. We forget our progress so easily.

2: Ruthless Time Blocking: Not the productivity guru version, but the REAL version where you honestly admit what you can accomplish in an hour. I use Google Calendar and colour-code the life out of it, even coding and number my energy levels.

The key question isn’t “How can I do more?” but rather: “What’s worth my time? What drives actual results rather than just feeling productive?”

The Fear Behind Slow Progress

Let’s get to the heart of what’s happening. The underlying fear isn’t the slow progress — it’s this:

“I’ll put all this hard work in, and it still won’t be good enough.”

That vulnerability — feeling like your best might not measure up — is the hardest pill to swallow.

But here’s the reframe: My best might not be good enough for this particular thing, but it might be perfect for something completely different. What if every “failure” is redirecting you to where you’re supposed to be?

The Psychological Benefits of Embracing Slow Progress

We’re taught to take the path of least resistance, but where’s the growth if there’s no resistance?

Resistance is what builds strength. It’s what makes you capable of things you never thought possible.

So when you’re struggling with slow progress and feeling behind (which I feel daily), remember: This isn’t a weakness. This is your foundation for getting stronger.

Embracing slow progress isn’t about lowering your standards—it’s about honoring the natural rhythm of meaningful growth.

From Seed to Fruit

The day you plant the seed of your goals and dreams is not the day you eat the fruit.

If you’re frustrated with slow progress, ask yourself: “If slow progress is actually perfect progress, what would I do differently? How would I treat myself? How would I approach my work?”

Get crystal clear on why you’re doing what you’re doing in the first place. Dive deeper into your why — beyond the surface reason.

Is it curiosity? Growth? Financial stability? Finding that core driver is what pulls you forward when motivation fades.

When embracing slow progress feels impossible, return to your core ‘why’—the emotional driver behind your work.

Moving Forward

Slow progress isn’t failed progress—it’s just progress finding its way.

Growth is always there, but day-to-day, it looks invisible. Breathe and keep moving forward.

Want to go deeper? Watch the full video.

In this post, I’ve shared the key insights, but if you’d rather explore this topic more visually or conversationally, you can watch the full breakdown on my YouTube channel.

I walk through real examples, coaching insights, and mindset shifts that bring this idea to life.

Watch it here: I thought I was failing!

Or scroll down to watch it directly in the post.

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If you’re struggling with clarity along with slow progress, check out my guide on why clarity beats hustle.

Ready to Transform Your Approach to Progress?

If you’re feeling stuck in your creative journey or business growth, I can help you gain the clarity and momentum you need.

My 1:1 Clarity Coaching sessions are designed specifically for creatives and entrepreneurs who are facing the exact challenges we’ve discussed. Together, we’ll identify your blocks, create actionable strategies, and reframe your relationship with progress.

Book a 30-minute discovery call →

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Did this resonate with you? What’s YOUR biggest challenge with slow progress right now? Drop a comment below — sometimes naming the block is what breaks it.

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