For those of us who gave it all last year – taking chances, pursuing better habits, going the extra mile, and enduring beyond limits – this new year might bring an unsettling realization: despite all that effort, it feels like we haven’t moved forward at all. We’re still at the starting line!
When progress feels elusive, the motivation to keep-up with the momentum feels overwhelming, as though every step forward is futile.
And yet, trajectory is more important than position. Not all progress is immediately visible.
The reality of where you stand now may obscure the extraordinary forces quietly shaping your future – building your mental clarity, sharpening your skills, and strengthening your emotional resilience.
To put things into perspective…
Right now, you’re standing on a planet that’s:
- Rotating on its axis at 1,600 km/hr (1,000 miles/hr),
- Revolving around the sun at 107,000 km/hr (67,000 miles/hr),
- Orbiting the center of the Milky Way galaxy at 828,000 km/hr (514,000 miles/hr),
- Hurtling toward the Great Attractor in the Laniakea Supercluster at 1,080,000 km/hr (670,000 miles/hr).
And yet, everything feels perfectly still; motionless.
Just as the Earth moves through the universe at astonishing speeds without us noticing, so too is the journey of our personal growth. Even when we feel like we’re stuck or going nowhere, the quiet forces of sincere effort, openness to meaningful-work, trust in the processes, and continuous learning are propelling us forward in ways we can’t yet perceive.
This is the principle of Kinetic Illusion under Mindful Productivity: the paradox of motion feeling invisible, even as we are being propelled forward at cosmic speeds.
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“A willingness to begin again is the key to freedom”. – Sam Harris
When progress feels invisible, and doubt clouds your clarity, seek your guide in the breath:
- Close your eyes.
- Take a few deep, slow breaths.
- Slow down your breathing with long inhales and even longer exhales.
- As you exhale, repeat: “Whether I rush or go slow, the journey will lead me to where I need to be – so I might as well enjoy the ride.”
Practice this for a few minutes whenever progress feels out of reach.
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Nikhil Kabadi 