How to measure Progress in Life?
”Progress is often slow, sometimes intangible, sometimes insignificant and sometimes there is no progress, validation, or victory. But there’s always hope and always learning. Hope and learning can be the path towards purpose and progress in life.”
Of course, this is easier said than done. Setbacks, family crises, and health issues can happen anytime and can bring anyone down. It is difficult to stay hopeful in such circumstances, but it seems important to try. When things seem stagnant and not moving forward, it seems crucial to recognize that progress can still be made with hope and learning. But then how do we stay hopeful? How do we measure progress?
In his book “The Art of Happiness,” his holiness the Dalai Lama discusses the importance of mind training, learning, relearning, conviction to change, and sustained effort for years as a way to stay hopeful and positive. Though it may seem daunting, it seems like the only way to move forward. When a crisis hits, humans and animals can move toward action.
We have a natural instinct to fight or flee, both of which require action. Freezing is the only response that does not require action. However, it often results in negative outcomes, such as a deer freezing seeing a car's headlights, and ending up in an accident. Moving towards positivity and hope almost seems like a natural antidote to crisis. Again easy to say we have to take action but difficult at times. Is there any other choice?
Progress has both internal and external meanings. Internally, progress can be felt like muscle training at a gym in the beginning phase. You feel it, but others don’t see it yet. The question then arises, do you train to feel or to see? The feeling of progress is faster than seeing it for yourself and for others. Though progress can be slow and disappointments can add up, we can focus on learning from failures. By making learning the metric for progress, we can feel empowered and maintain control.
So how do we progress given setbacks, family crises & disappointments?
Progress is often slow, sometimes intangible, sometimes insignificant, and sometimes there is no progress, validation, or victory.
Progress is not always easy, and setbacks are an inevitable part of life. However, as long as we are learning and hopeful, we are on the right path. Even when progress seems slow or insignificant, we can still maintain a positive attitude and look for opportunities to learn and grow.
Measuring progress can be simplified into two key questions in life
How hopeful are you?
Have you learned from your setbacks?