How to Keep Going When You Can’t See the Results

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We’ve all been there—putting in endless hours, only to feel like nothing is changing.

Consistently doing the work and not seeing the results is hard

You don’t know whether God is just testing you if this is what you really want or He is telling you to stop because this is not meant for you

Life itself is confusing enough already, add up hustling without seeing the results is frustrating

So in moments like this when you’re lying in your bed at 3am and thinking are the results going to come?

be it a life goal, financial goal or health goal

But this dream is what you want more than anything and you want to hold on but also are losing hope, this post is for you

Remember Your WHY

When you’re stuck in the trenches, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. The daily grind can sometimes feel like it’s going nowhere, and you may even start doubting your decision to pursue this path. But before you let the doubt take over, take a moment to reconnect with your WHY.

Why did you start this journey? Was it to achieve financial freedom, build the life you’ve always dreamed of, or simply to prove to yourself that you can do it? Whatever it is, your WHY is what keeps you moving forward, even when the path feels unclear.

Remind yourself that your goals are bigger than the struggle you’re facing right now.

One fun way to keep your WHY front and center is by creating a vision board. Gather up your favorite magazines, print out pictures, or even go digital and curate a Pinterest board. Fill it with images, quotes, and symbols that represent your dreams. Hang it somewhere you can see it every day, so you’re reminded of why you’re doing this.

Shift Your Perspective and Trust The Process

When you’re stuck in a place where results feel elusive, it’s easy to get frustrated and ask, “Why isn’t this happening faster?” But who says results have to come fast? The most successful people didn’t get to where they are overnight, and their journeys prove that the process is just as important as the outcome.

Take Colonel Sanders, for example. He was 65 years old when he started pitching his fried chicken recipe to restaurants. He was rejected 1,000 times before he finally got a yes. But now, KFC is one of the largest fast food chains in the world. His success didn’t happen quickly, but his persistence paid off because he trusted the process.

Or look at Oprah Winfrey. She faced numerous setbacks and failures in her career, including being told she wasn’t “fit for television” early on. Oprah didn’t let those early rejections stop her. She kept working, kept learning, and kept growing. Today, she’s one of the most influential women in media, but it didn’t come without years of struggle and perseverance.

These examples remind us that success doesn’t follow a strict timeline. Often, the best things take time to materialize. Trusting the process means having faith that what you’re doing today is laying the foundation for what’s to come, even if you can’t see it yet. It’s all part of the bigger picture. So, instead of focusing on the speed of results, focus on the consistency of your efforts. You’re building something that will stand the test of time.

Tips to Stay Motivated Even When Results Aren’t Here

• Re-evaluate your strategy: Take a step back and assess what’s working and what’s not. Sometimes, adjusting your approach—no matter how small—can be the key to breaking through a plateau.
• Add more fun to what you’re doing: If the process feels heavy, find ways to infuse some fun back into it. Listen to music, gamify your tasks, or treat yourself when you hit milestones. The more fun you have, the easier it is to stay motivated.
• Find inspiration: When motivation dips, turn to sources of inspiration—books, podcasts, or success stories from others. Inspiration can reignite your passion and remind you why you started in the first place.
• Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge even the tiniest victories. Maybe you stuck to your routine, learned a new skill, or made 1% progress. Every little step counts, and celebrating these moments helps keep you motivated to keep going.
• Track progress: Use visual reminders like progress charts, to-do lists, or journals to see how far you’ve come. Even if the results aren’t visible yet, tracking your efforts can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated.
• Create accountability: Find an accountability partner or join a community of like-minded people. Having someone to share your goals with not only provides encouragement but also pushes you to keep going when you might want to quit.
• Set short-term goals: Break your larger goals into smaller, more achievable tasks. When you can focus on one step at a time, it feels less overwhelming, and you’re more likely to stay consistent and focused.
• Mix things up: Sometimes a change in routine or perspective can reignite your motivation. Try doing things differently, take a creative break, or step out of your usual process for a fresh dose of inspiration.
• Show up by doing the bare minimum: Don’t stress about giving 100% every day. On tough days, just showing up and doing the bare minimum can keep you on track. It’s about consistency, not perfection.
• Don’t give up, just keep going: Even when results feel far away, remind yourself that you don’t want to quit. Trust that continuing on this path, no matter how slow, will eventually bring the success you’ve been working for.

Take Care of Yourself

Maybe you’re losing motivation because you’ve been pouring from an empty cup. Self-care and mental health are essential—especially when things aren’t going as planned.

• Mental health matters: Taking breaks and recharging is key for long-term productivity. Don’t forget that rest is just as important as hustle.
• Physical self-care: Exercise, proper nutrition, and enough sleep boost your energy and mental clarity, helping you stay sharp and focused.
• Emotional well-being: Journaling, meditation, or spending time with loved ones can strengthen your emotional resilience and help you recharge.
• Boundaries: Recognize when you’re burning out and set healthy boundaries. It’s okay to take a step back and rest when needed.

Remember: when you’re tired, rest, don’t quit. Your body and mind need time to refuel before you can keep pushing forward.

Giving Up on Your Dream is Not Equal to Giving Up on Yourself

It’s important to differentiate between quitting and pivoting. Adjusting your goals or changing your approach doesn’t mean failure—it simply means you’re evolving.

Sometimes, the strategy isn’t working, but that doesn’t mean the dream won‘t come true. Letting go of a strategy doesn’t mean letting go of your dream. Redefine what success looks like for you and allow your dreams to evolve over time.

Never lose faith in yourself—whatever’s happening is part of God’s plan. Even when things don’t go as planned, remember that you cannot give up on yourself because, no matter what happens, God will always redirect you towards your purpose.