Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the right things, but still not seeing the results you hoped for?
Maybe you’re building a new habit, growing a business, or working through a tough season in life. You’ve shown up, put in the effort, and tried to stay positive — but progress feels slow. Frustratingly slow.
That’s when people often say, “Just trust the process.”
It sounds simple enough. But in moments of doubt, that phrase can feel vague — or even a little hollow.
So what does it really mean to trust the process? How do you know if you’re actually doing it? And more importantly, how can this mindset help you stay steady when things feel uncertain?
Let’s start with a quick self-check:
Quick Self-Assessment: Are You Trusting the Process?
Take a moment to reflect. Which of these statements feel familiar?
- I often feel anxious when results don’t come quickly.
- I focus more on the outcome than on my daily efforts.
- I find myself constantly comparing my progress with others.
- I lose motivation when I don’t see visible results.
- I question if all this effort is even worth it.
- I feel tempted to give up or change paths when things slow down.
What Your Answers Might Mean:
4–6 boxes checked?
You may be struggling to stay grounded in the process. This guide can help you shift your mindset.
2–3 boxes checked?
You’re in progress — aware of the journey but still facing some doubts.
0–1 box checked?
You’re already embracing the process mindset — now let’s strengthen it further.
Ready? Let’s begin.
What Does It Mean To “Trust The Process?”
Trusting the process means committing to your journey — even when progress feels slow, unclear, or uncertain. It’s about focusing on the small, meaningful steps you can take today, rather than getting caught up in how far you still have to go.
You can think of it as a simple formula:
Trust the Process =
(Patience + Purpose + Consistent Effort) ✕ Belief – Need for Immediate Results
Let’s break that down:
Patience: Allowing things to unfold in their own time
Purpose: Staying connected to your “why”
Consistent Effort: Showing up, even when it’s hard
Belief: The fuel that keeps you moving forward
Subtracting the need for immediate results: because lasting growth rarely happens overnight
In short, trusting the process means embracing the journey — not just chasing the destination.
A Simple Analogy
Think of it like growing a tree.
You don’t see it sprout overnight, but with consistent care, it gradually becomes strong and steady. That patience, combined with purposeful action, is what truly drives progress.
Where Did the Phrase Come From?
The phrase “trust the process” became popular through the Philadelphia 76ers, an NBA basketball team in the early 2010s. The team’s general manager, Sam Hinkie led a long-term strategy focused on developing young talent and building a strong foundation for future success.
During this time, progress was slow and results were often disappointing. To keep the team and fans motivated, the organization emphasized one key idea:
“Trust the process.”
This meant believing in the long-term plan and staying committed, even when results weren’t immediate or easy to see.
Since then, the phrase has moved beyond sports. It’s now widely used in business, personal growth, and everyday life as a reminder to be patient and consistent through challenges, trusting that steady effort will eventually lead to success.
The Psychology Behind
Our brains are naturally wired to seek quick rewards. When we achieve fast results, dopamine floods our system, giving us a feel-good boost. That’s why slow progress can feel frustrating or even discouraging, as our brains don’t like uncertainty or delayed gratification.
However, meaningful and lasting change never happens overnight. Real growth depends on consistent effort over time, not just quick wins. That’s where trusting the process comes in.
This idea is linked to the concept of a growth mindset, coined by the psychologist Carol Dweck. It means believing that your skills and success improve through steady effort over time, not overnight. When you adopt this mindset, setbacks stop being roadblocks and become chances to learn and grow.
Trusting the process means training your brain to focus on what you can control — your daily habits and efforts — rather than obsessing over immediate results. This shift reduces anxiety, keeps your motivation steady, and builds resilience to help you keep moving forward.
Why Should You Trust the Process?
Because real progress takes time — and without trust, it’s easy to lose your way.
In every long-term goal, there will be stretches where things feel slow, unclear, or even stuck. It’s in those moments that people tend to second-guess themselves, jump to shortcuts, or walk away too soon.
Trusting the process helps you stay steady through those ups and downs. It keeps you focused on what you can control — your effort, your mindset, your next step — instead of being pulled off course by impatience or doubt.
It’s not about ignoring challenges. It’s about staying grounded, even when the outcome isn’t visible yet. That steady belief is what gives your actions consistency — and over time, that’s what leads to real results.
Key Benefits of Trusting the Process
When you shift your focus from instant results to consistent effort, everything changes — in how you think, act, and grow. Here’s what starts to happen when you truly embrace the process:
You develop long-range thinking
When you stop chasing quick results, your perspective shifts. You start making choices that align with where you want to be months or years from now — not just what feels good today.
You build emotional discipline
Staying steady when things feel uncertain isn’t easy. But over time, trusting the process trains your ability to handle discomfort without reacting impulsively — a skill that carries over into every area of life.
You become less dependent on motivation
Motivation comes and goes. What sticks is commitment. Trusting the process helps you build consistency through structure, not just inspiration — which is more sustainable long term.
You quit the need for external validation
When you trust the process, you stop measuring your progress only by likes, praise, or outcomes. You start valuing your own effort — and that internal confidence builds real independence.
You build real momentum
Ironically, when you stop forcing progress and start trusting your rhythm, progress often speeds up. You’re no longer starting from scratch every time — you’re compounding effort.
How to Actually Start Trusting the Process
Trusting the process sounds good in theory — but what does it look like in practice?
Here are simple, intentional ways to build that trust, especially when things feel slow or uncertain:
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Purpose
Write down why your goal matters to you. When your “why” is clear, it’s easier to stay focused and motivated, even when progress feels slow.
Step 2: Set Small, Achievable Milestones
Break your bigger goal into small, achievable steps. This makes the journey less overwhelming and helps you recognize progress regularly.
Step 3: Commit to Daily Habits
Identify simple actions you can do consistently to achieve your goal. Focusing on these daily habits keeps you moving forward, regardless of immediate results.
Step 4: Track Your Progress
Keep a simple journal or checklist to record your efforts and small wins. This shows you’re moving in the right direction, even if the big result isn’t here yet.
Step 5: Accept Discomfort as Part of Growth
Recognize that feeling uncertain or frustrated is normal. Instead of avoiding these feelings, lean into them, knowing they mean you’re on the right path.
Step 6: Reflect Regularly
Set aside time weekly or monthly to review what’s working and what isn’t. Adjust your plan calmly rather than making rushed decisions.
Step 7: Celebrate Consistency
Reward yourself for sticking to your process, not just for hitting major milestones. This reinforces steady effort as a habit.
Deep Mindset Shifts to Truly Trust the Process
Trusting the process isn’t just about what you do — it’s about how you think.
Be Okay With Not Knowing
Clarity won’t always come first. Sometimes, you move forward unsure, and confidence follows. Learning to act without full certainty is strength.
Accept the Gap
There will always be a space between where you are and where you want to be. That gap isn’t failure — it’s the space where growth happens.
Let Go of the Timeline
Progress doesn’t follow a perfect schedule. Letting go of “when it’s supposed to happen” frees you from pressure and helps you focus on what still deserves your effort today.
Stop Measuring Too Soon
Judging the value of your effort too early can kill momentum. Some progress takes time to reveal itself — even when you’re doing the right work.
Zoom Out
Imagine how today’s struggle will look 3 years from now. The view from a distance makes today’s chaos feel purposeful.
Common Misconceptions
Trusting the process is powerful — but it’s often misunderstood. Let’s clear up a few common myths:
You can just wait, and things will work out
False. Trusting the process isn’t passive. It’s about taking consistent action — even when you don’t see results yet. Waiting without effort won’t move you forward.
It’s just about hoping for the best
Not quite. Trusting the process is not blind optimism. It’s a realistic belief that effort, direction, and patience lead to growth — even when things are uncertain.
You should feel motivated all the time.
You won’t — and that’s normal. The point isn’t constant motivation. It’s showing up even when you don’t feel like it.
Once you trust the process, doubts disappear
Doubts still happen. The difference is that you don’t let them control your actions. You move forward with uncertainty.
You have to be patient all the time
Patience is key, but it doesn’t mean tolerating stagnation forever. It’s important to recognize when to keep waiting and when it’s time to try a new approach.
Wrapping Up
Trusting the process doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly. It means you keep showing up — even when things feel uncertain, results are delayed, or motivation runs low.
Real growth happens in those quiet, unseen moments. The slow seasons. The setbacks. The days you keep going anyway.
It’s okay to feel impatient or discouraged — that’s human. But the more you focus on consistent effort, small wins, and your deeper “why,” the more resilient, confident, and steady you become.
So take the next step. Then another. Even if you can’t see the full picture yet, trust that the process is working — and that you’re further along than you think.