A thousand steps

A thousand steps

When a reporter asked Thomas Edison how it felt to fail 1,000 times before inventing the lightbulb, he famously replied:

“I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The lightbulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

The reason we get frustrated when pursuing our goals is we forget that meaningful change is a thousand-step process.

If you’re only on step 40 and it feels like nothing is happening, the workaround is to keep experimenting.

You might just be getting started.

Light
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I would say the same applies to inner work. Don’t look for major changes after a few months, or even after a couple of years. Change is happening, but incrementally. And it’s often other people who will notice it within you before you do.

Speaking of which, the longest meditation challenge I offer lasts 1008 days. But you take it in 108 day increments—with each one adding a bit more time to your practice. And by the time you get to day 1008, meditating for 20 minutes twice a day is just what you do. Start here with the 108-Day Meditation Challenge. Your first two weeks are free.

My passions include keynote speaking, leading meditation retreats, hosting my podcast, and writing self-help books, like Travel Light, Knowing Where to Look, Bliss More, and The Inner Gym. I’ve also got a thriving online community with fun challenges and masterclasses for becoming the best version of you. You can see more about me at lightwatkins.comor follow my journey on Instagram.