profile

MICRO MISCONCEPTS

Misconcepts 011 - Why "Enjoy the Journey" Isn't Just Feel-Good Fluff

Published 2 months ago • 2 min read

MICRO MISCONCEPTS

A weekly upgrade for your misconcepts in under 5 minutes.

​

19th September 2025

Issue# 011

Why "Enjoy the Journey" Isn't Just Feel-Good Fluff

There’s a reason why every successful person gives you the same boring advice.

You've heard it countless times: "Enjoy the journey, not the destination." You might be rolling your eyes, but here's why this isn't just motivational fluff, but strategic wisdom.

The compounding magic

Our brain expects linear progress. Put in X effort, get Y results. But in reality, results compound exponentially. It starts off painfully slow (almost non-existent) before suddenly taking off.

Those early phases feel brutal. You show up daily and put in the effort, yet see virtually nothing. This is where most people quit, concluding "this doesn't work." They quit precisely when the magic was about to unfold. We’ve all been there - day 52 of your new habit and wondering if you’ve been tricked.

But those who genuinely enjoy the process? They stay in the game long enough to witness the magic of compounding. Enjoying the process makes consistency sustainable and that’s the key difference.

If you truly enjoy the process, you’ll stick with it long enough to see results.

As legendary performance coach Tim Grover puts it:

“You don’t chase success. You focus on the work, and success finds you.”

Life is happening right now

There’s another reason why you might want to enjoy the journey.

Your time in this world is limited and constantly depleting. While you're waiting for “someday” to live, life is happening. If you’re not enjoying it, you’re spending 99% of your life waiting for 1% of it. You'll reach your goal only to discover another one waiting—the promotion, then the next promotion, the house, then the bigger house—an endless cycle where 'someday' never arrives.

Author Ursula K. Le Guin beautifully captured this:

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

​

Making the Change

But easier said than done right? How do you actually enjoy the journey?

The secret isn't forcing enjoyment—it's choosing the right journey. Pursue goals that are intrinsically meaningful to you, not goals you think you should have.

Think of one goal you're currently pursuing. Ask yourself honestly: "If this took twice as long, would I still want to do it?"

If the answer isn't a clear yes, perhaps it's time to find your own mountain to climb.

Thanks for reading!

Learn more at misconcepts.org​

Misconcepts is itself a misconcept. We are constantly iterating on our system to deliver the best value we possibly can. We'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can improve. Let us know by replying to this email.

​

​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

​

MICRO MISCONCEPTS

High ROI Misconcepts in a few minutes.

A single system for life based on epistemology and first principles. Compound rapidly to the next milestone while maximizing internal fulfillment

Read more from MICRO MISCONCEPTS

Micro Misconcepts A weekly upgrade for your misconcepts in under 5 minutes. Where to Aim High (and Where to Let Go) 28th November 2025 | misconcepts.org Last week, I shared how unmet expectations lead to suffering and how lowering our expectations helps us find contentment. But here's the question that's probably nagging at you: "Doesn't that mean settling for less?” I wrestled with this too. Here’s what I discovered: the wisdom isn't in having low expectations everywhere – it's in knowing...

3 days ago • 2 min read

Micro Misconcepts A weekly upgrade for your misconcepts in under 5 minutes. The Contentment Equation I Wish I Learned Earlier 21st November 2025 | misconcepts.org I think about this quote constantly. "Expectation is the mother of all frustration." – Antonio Banderas Picture this: You order a delicious-sounding dish at a restaurant. When it arrives, it’s nothing like you imagined. Suddenly you’re disappointed, maybe even angry, even though seconds ago you were buzzing with excitement. What...

10 days ago • 2 min read

Micro Misconcepts A weekly upgrade for your misconcepts in under 5 minutes. Three Ways to Feel Grateful When Lists Stop Working 14th November 2025 | misconcepts.org You know that sinking feeling when your gratitude practice starts to feel like a chore? I’ve been there. We're well-versed in the importance of gratitude. We commit to listing three things we're grateful for each day. Day one feels great. By day five, you're staring at a blank page, resisting the temptation to recycle yesterday's...

17 days ago • 2 min read