99. find joy in the process

Every time you find yourself unhappy, it’s most likely due to some form of comparison. We’re never really upset until we start comparing where we are with where we think we should be. It’s a formula for dissatisfaction that leaves us more concerned with the result of our effort, than finding enjoyment within the process itself. 

Focusing on the result, instead of enjoying the process itself is a form of comparison between the future and current versions of yourself. Placing all your attention on the result, at the expense of the processes will only lead to dissatisfaction in the long run because you haven’t learned to enjoy all the things that were necessary to achieve the desired results, which will ultimately lead to you losing them. For instance, you can compare yourself to someone who is consistently in good shape. You can ask them what you need to do to look good naked, and then follow their prescribed regimen to achieve the body you desire, but if you do not find a majority of the effort within the process enjoyable, you won’t have that body for long. 

There are two types of people; ones that think they will only be happy when they achieve what they’re after, and ones who find happiness in the execution of the process. If you are embarking on a journey only as a means to an end, you’ll never find joy in the steps it took to get you there. It is an inevitability that if you enjoy what you’re doing, you will get better results. Long after you achieve your goal or arrive at your destination, you’re still doing many of the things there were necessary to get you there simply because you enjoy them. 

Research has shown that you derive more satisfaction — dopamine — from the process of pursuing than actually acquiring the things you’re after. In other words, the people who find enjoyment in the process will have the best results longterm, whereas those who are only after a result will quickly lose interest once they achieve what they’re after. The person who is consistently in shape enjoys the process of working out and eating well because it provides them with a positive feedback mechanism of confidence, vibrancy, and looking good naked, that allows them to consistently find enjoyment within the process. If you hate working out and eating well, and must sacrifice to get the body you want, you can achieve it but it is unlikely you will maintain it.