Trust the Process, That’s All You Need to Do

Summary

The article uses the metaphor of searching for water in a desert to emphasize the importance of persistence and trust in the process of achieving a goal.

Abstract

In a metaphorical scenario, the article likens the pursuit of a goal to a person searching for water in the desert, advising that one must persevere through initial failures and trust that the process will lead to success. Initially, the person digs in several spots without finding water and becomes discouraged by the many shallow holes they've created. The article then suggests that by committing to a single location and trusting the digging process, the person will eventually find water, drawing a parallel to the necessity of patience and persistence in personal or professional endeavors.

Opinions

Persistence and continuous effort in a single direction are crucial to success.
Trust in the process is essential, even when immediate results are not visible.
The article implies that switching approaches or locations (akin to changing strategies without sufficient trial) may hinder progress.
It suggests that success, like finding water, requires patience and endurance despite initial setbacks.

Keep digging and you’ll find the water

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You’re in the desert. You’re thirsty but have no water.

A Beduin comes and says, “Here’s a shovel. Take it. There’s plenty of water underneath your feet. Dig and you’ll find it.”

You start digging.

After ten minutes, you find nothing.

You think maybe you’re digging in the wrong spot so you move and make another hole a few steps away. Ten minutes later, still nothing. So you move again. And then again and then again and again.

Exhausted, you look around and all you see is shallow holes.

But no water.

Now imagine a different situation.

You start digging. After ten minutes you stop, but only for a break. Then you dig for another ten minutes. You keep digging the same hole trusting that the process of shoveling sand will eventually bring you water. You don’t know when, but it’ll appear.

After three hours, you’re exhausted.

But guess what?