There’s a great quote on our fridge (not that I have any idea of how it got there):

"It will all be OK in the end. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end." – Unknown

I love it. The simple thought that it will all be OK in the end (even if it may be a bit naïve, or at times inaccurate) just has me feel more relaxed and happier.

I was talking to a client yesterday morning who was feeling a little overwhelmed and also frustrated that things were taking longer than he wanted. I’m actually all good with a bit of what we call “appropriate angst” about things taking too long. I want my clients (and myself) to get frustrated about things taking too long. Part of an implementation mindset is an impatience to get things published and projects complete.

But not to the extent that it become debilitating.

There’s some fascinating research about how much stuff we think we can get done in the short term and in the long term. Turns out mostly we overestimate what we can get done in the short term, and underestimate what we can achieve in the long term.

You’ll probably get less done than you think you should this week. And yet in five years when you look back on what you’ve achieved you’ll be amazed.

So keep playing hard, but go easy on yourself if you’re not as productive as you think you should be in a day or a week or a month. You’re not alone. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it will all be OK in the end.

Love to hear your thoughts and experiences – you can leave your comments below.