For so many of us, we just can’t wait to get to the next best thing. That next best thing could be young parents getting their little one out of diapers. That next best thing could be graduation day for a student, promotion day for someone in the workforce, or retirement day for someone that has put in years of work. That next best thing could be a championship game for a coach or an athlete, a dream vacation, that perfect home, or meeting that long-term financial goal. That next best thing could be any number of things, and many of us likely could relate to several of these examples at different times.
There is nothing wrong with dreams, goals, plans, or aspirations. We are all wired to desire and pursue things to varying extents. There may be great feelings of accomplishment when these goals are achieved, or those destinations reached. However, for some, there may be some level of emptiness or disappointment as well. The joy in the achievement may be short lived, and the need for that next best thing may become a new priority very quickly. The joy fades quickly and the pursuit begins again. It can turn into a never-ending cycle of discontentment, discouragement, and anxiety.
The key is not to give up on dreams, goals, or ambition in various areas of our life. These can all be healthy mechanisms to provide direction, purpose, meaning, and motivation for many of us. The key to lasting joy and satisfaction is in the process, not just the achievement. When we become comfortable with our identity (who we are, what we value, and what we are known for), we can build a lifestyle/process for our life that directs our actions toward our dreams, goals, and purpose. We can find joy in living this lifestyle/process. Achieving the various dreams, goals, and ambitions are great, but the sustaining contentment and joy comes from living that lifestyle and exercising that process. When one finds joy in the process, peace and contentment prevail, and results are just a bonus when they are reached.
I found this true in my high school years. I had athletic goals both individually and team centered. However, I loved the off-season training and preparation. Don’t get me wrong, I still looked forward to those Friday night football games and mid-week baseball games, but I found great joy in the training and preparation leading up to those events. To this day, I love the early morning training routine that prepares me for a race or a competition. Similarly, I look forward to the preparation prior to speaking to a group or leading a training session. I find joy in the complete process of living out the identity that I have chosen to pursue. I find great joy in walking through challenges and praying for others to be supportive and encouraging. I am not talented or skilled enough to solve many problems, but my process is to just be present as often as possible.
I am not sure where you are in the pursuit of the next best thing, but I do encourage you to pause and consider the process of getting there. You just might find lasting joy and contentment in the process of pursuing those items. The process is where life is lived out, people’s lives are impacted, and lasting joy can be found. Fall in love with the process, and let the results take care of themselves.
