Three weeks ago, I completed the London Marathon MyWay.
While crossing that finish line brought a deep sense of satisfaction, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also eagerly awaiting the tangible rewards, the medal and the t-shirt. 🎽🏅🤷🏾👀
Well, they finally arrived… three weeks later. And in that waiting time, I found myself reflecting on patience and the power of delayed gratification.
Here are a few quotes that resonated:
“The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term is the indispensable prerequisite for success.” - Brian Tracy
“It is acknowledgement of desire without the demand that it be satisfied… it is desire that can live with deferral… a healthy hunger that is content to wait for the feast.”— Amy Simpson
“Gratification comes in the doing, not the results.” — James Dean
As a middle-aged man passionate about health, fitness, and wellbeing, I’ve learned that the most fulfilling results often come when we’re willing to be patient and consistent.
Here are a few examples many of us can relate to:
FROM: Struggling to climb stairs without losing breath.
TO: Scaling several floors with ease after months of effort.
FROM: Frustrated by losing just 0.5kg
TO:Dropping 3kg+ through sustained habits.
FROM: Wrestling to sit quietly for 2 minutes.
TO: Enjoying 20-minute meditative sessions with peace of mind.
Whatever the challenge, persistence and patience work hand in hand.
Here are 4 simple yet powerful principles to keep in mind:
1. Trust the Process – Someone’s walked the path before. Learn from them and apply the fundamentals to your own journey.
2. Find Your Tribe – Community support changes everything. We’re wired to thrive together, not alone.
3. One Day at a Time – Progress happens gradually. Whether it’s fitness, mindfulness, or lifestyle change, every day counts.
4. Celebrate the Small Wins – Even if you’re working toward a big goal, acknowledge and reward the milestones along the way.
And I’ll leave you with this:
“Reading a novel in which all the characters illustrate patience, hard work, chastity, and delayed gratification could be a pretty dull experience.”— Thomas Perry
That may be true but if we could feel the euphoria of those characters reaching their goals, we’d be inspired to start our own chapter.
How have patience and persistence shaped your fitness, wellbeing, or career journey?
I’d love to hear your story.
