If you walk 10 miles into the forest, don't expect to come out in 5.

For some reason, we expect to see the return of our positive choices faster than we see the return of unproductive choices.

This is most likely because unproductive choices aren't conscious decisions, it's a lifestyle cultivated over a long period of time without any effort at all.

However, positive changes, most often, are conscious decisions we make to better our lifestyle. They require effort, intent, and mental and physical energy to achieve.

Because making a positive change is an actual choice we expect different results from our actions...faster results from our actions.

This is simply not the case. Anyone who has tried a shortcut in health, nutrition, sport, or weight loss is aware that these don't work. The reality is that there isn't a faster way from point A to point B than simply putting in the work to get there.

10 miles in...10 miles out.

Setting yourself up for false expectations that walking out 10 miles is somehow going to be easy, void of hard work, discomfort, and road blocks is only setting yourself up for failure.

Allowing yourself to grow, accepting discomfort, trials and tribulations, and choosing to 'do it anyway' is what's required to get yourself out of the woods you walked into.

This doesn't mean you need to suffer endlessly in pursuit of your goals. It just means that simply deciding you want something isn't enough to actually achieve it.

Be willing to work for yourself, you're worth it.