Why Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Overcoming the Desire for Instant Gratification

A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow. "Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh. "Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I'll get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it."

The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of it he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.

The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try to race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.

The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.

The Hare Mindset vs Tortoise Mindset

Aesop's fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare," holds several interpretations. To me, it emphasizes the idea that victory does not always belong to the swiftest, but instead, to the determined and persistent. If one works slowly but steadily, persevering through any obstacles, they are likely to triumph in the end.

In our current world, the idea of immediate gratification is pervasive. Everywhere we turn, there are messages promoting get-rich-quick schemes, fad diets that promise rapid weight loss, and shortcuts to success. Additionally, with fast food restaurants, instant microwavable meals, and instant communication through emails and texts, we have become accustomed to quick results. However, we must recognize that anything worth having requires time and effort. Transformation and lasting change do not occur overnight. Unfortunately, our fixation on quick results often leads us to abandon pursuits that take longer than expected. While, this approach may be convenient and easy, it may not be the best approach to the most important things in your life.

The outcomes we seek may require a considerable amount of time to come to fruition, perhaps longer than what many would prefer. However, it's important to recognize that the Universal Law of Gestation dictates everything has a period of development, just as a seed requires time to grow or a baby gestates during pregnancy. During this phase, essential skills, mindsets, and foundations are established to ensure high-quality results.What if we shifted our mindset and adopted the "tortoise approach" of slow and steady progress, rather than the "hare's quick results" approach? Instead of obsessing over immediate outcomes, what if we focused on each step towards our goals, keeping our sights set on achieving sustainable, long-term results?

Sometimes the victor is not the fastest or the most talented, but rather the one who perseveres through challenges. The Tortoise's unwavering commitment to the race enabled him to triumph over the Hare's excessive pride and overconfidence. This lesson can be applied to various aspects of life, from personal aspirations to professional pursuits. It's essential to understand that success often comes from persistence and consistency rather than mere talent or speed. Therefore, when facing setbacks or feeling disheartened, let the story of the Tortoise be a source of inspiration to keep pushing forward.

Two Girls and the corn seeds

There's also a story of two girls who came across corn seeds in an open field. One of the girls, after planting her seeds, expected to see a harvest within a day. Disappointed when it didn't occur, she dug up the seed multiple times and replanted it, ultimately causing the seed to perish. The other girl, on the other hand, envisioned a successful harvest before planting the seed. She then tended to the seed with care and patience, providing water and nourishment. Although she didn't immediately witness any growth, she continued to nurture the seed until weeks later, when a small sprout finally emerged from the soil and grew towards the sun.

This story exemplifies the potential of patience, perseverance, and visualization. Despite having identical opportunities, the outcome differed based on the girls' approaches and mindsets. The first girl's impatience led her to repeatedly dig up the seed, neglecting the fact that growth is a gradual process that requires consistent nurturing. Conversely, the second girl exhibited unwavering faith in her seed's potential and took the necessary measures to ensure its growth.

This story speaks to a fundamental truth that holds relevance across various facets of life. Frequently, we crave immediate results and instant gratification, overlooking the fact that genuine growth and accomplishments require dedication and time. Whether it's launching a new business, acquiring new skills, or pursuing a goal, cultivating a mindset of patience and faith in the process is pivotal. It's also crucial to take consistent action and nurture our aspirations throughout the journey.

Visualization can also be a powerful tool in accomplishing our goals. By visualizing ourselves already achieving our desired outcome, we can cultivate a positive mindset and attract the necessary resources and opportunities to bring it to fruition. Nonetheless, it's critical to acknowledge that visualization on its own is insufficient. We must also take actionable steps and put in the effort required to make our goals a reality.

By redirecting your attention from the outcome to the small steps, you'll begin to notice progress. Consistency is key and leads to the generation of momentum. This momentum, in turn, leads to a surge of action, propelling you forward. As you progress, your confidence grows, and with it, your determination to continue taking massive action that produces results. Before long, you'll realize you've made significant, lasting changes to your life.

Achieving a goal involves taking small but consistent steps towards its attainment. Each step is vital in strengthening character, honing mindset, and facilitating growth necessary for the desired outcome. A fascinating example of this is the Chinese Bamboo tree, which takes nearly four years from the time of planting the seed to finally sprout and grow up to 90 feet tall. During this gestation period, the roots develop and establish a firm foundation, making the tree resilient to withstand storms and other challenges.

So, instead of fixating on short-term results, it can be helpful to focus on each step of the journey. Breaking down the process into manageable chunks and celebrating small wins along the way. This can provide motivation and help you to stay on track. Additionally, embracing the slow and steady approach can help you to develop a growth mindset, recognizing that setbacks and challenges are opportunities for learning and improvement. By adopting a tortoise mindset, you can approach your goals with patience, perseverance, and a focus on the journey instead of the destination.

The race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure it.