11 Signs You’re Making Progress In Life (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)

Review this checklist if you're feeling frustrated

The road to success is paved with uncertainty. Even when you're on the right path, it doesn't always feel like it.

It's relatively normal to have spans of feeling like you're not making progress, but that's not always the case.

During these spells, you'll often experience a lot of inner growth and gain priceless knowledge ready for your next big success.

Here are 11 signs that you're making more progress than you realize.

1. You've Found Your 'One Thing'

Most people become successful by focusing on their life's most important goal.

By lasering their focus on this one thing, they can skyrocket to success much quicker.

For some, the difficult part is finding their 'one thing' to go all-in on. Others are too easily distracted by the smaller things in life that don't ultimately matter.

If you've found a fulfilling life purpose, you're a lot further ahead than most people.

2. You've Stopped Trying To Impress Other People

This famous quote about trying to impress people was falsely attributed to Winston Churchill.

"At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At 40, we don't care what they think of us. At 60, we discover they haven't been thinking about us at all."

It has become so well-known because it rings true for so many people. Most of us are obsessed with impressing other people in our younger years, only to eventually grow out of it.

This is a side-effect of finding your life's purpose. When you're so sure what you want to do with your life, other people's opinions about it cease to matter.

It takes a long time to reach that state of being though. If you've made it already, you should be proud of yourself.

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3. You're Making A Difference

Here's another realization discovered as we mature. A fulfilling life isn't completely selfish.

As we grow older, most of us want to make an impact on the world. We want to help people. We want to leave a legacy.

Some people do that in their jobs. Others do it within their family and social circle.

If you make life easier for even one person today, see that as a form of progress. Did you put a smile on someone's face? Did you solve someone's problem? Then you're making the world a better place. That's worth acknowledging.

4. You Feel More Comfortable In Your Own Skin

This is another side-effect of following your purpose and not caring what others think. It also arrives when you make strong decisions in moments of adversity.

Sure, we all have moments of insecurity. But I'd urge you to compare your self-image to how you viewed yourself a few years ago. This is one of the most underrated forms of progress you can make in your life.

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5. You Don't Envy Others

Envy is another sign of immaturity that can ruin your sense of self-love.

As we grow older, we tend to realize that everyone is dealt different hands in life. Everyone takes different paths based on their own personal narratives.

We learn that comparing ourselves to others rarely helps — and that we can't ever know the full story of someone else's life. This understanding helps us focus on our own happiness.

If you rarely experience jealousy, that's a strong sign you're on the right path in life. If there's someone you truly envy, perhaps you should be making the same steps as them.

6. You're Getting Feedback (Good and Bad)

When you receive unsolicited feedback for your actions, that's a sign you're making an impact on the world.

Sometimes you'll receive criticism, maybe even from those closest to you. But this doesn't mean you're making the wrong moves.

A lot of people struggle to see their loved ones take risks and evolve. They try to warn us about the downsides. But just because it's wrong for them, that doesn't mean it's wrong for you.

Some online trolls (or even so-called friends) will critique your decisions because you highlight their own shortcomings. These people aren't worth engaging with at all.

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7. You're Learning From Your Mistakes

Failure doesn't indicate a lack of progress. In fact, it's the complete opposite.

You learn far more from failure than you do from success. This is how you improve your craft. This is how you develop emotional resilience.

Provided you learn from your mistakes, a failure means you're one step closer to succeeding.

If you're not failing often, you're not being ambitious enough.

8. You're Less Discouraged By Setbacks

Some people are left emotionally distraught when things don't go their way.

These are the individuals who lack self-belief. They see setbacks as proof they weren't meant to succeed. Confident leaders view them as challenges to conquer.

How do you react to setbacks? If they no longer disturb you, that's a great indicator of inner growth.

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9. You've Lost Relationships

Drifting apart from people is an unfortunate side-effect of success.

Some friends might not like the person you're becoming, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't continue on that path.

With a solid vision of your desired self, you'll happily let go of those who won't follow you. They weren't meant to be in this chapter of your life. You'll find new allies with time.

10. You're Excited About The Future

A fulfilling life has ups and downs. You'll feel despondent at times.

But if you're excited about the future you're working towards, that's a sign you're doing the right things.

If you never experience this excitement, that's when you need to worry. This typically means you're not progressing down the right path.

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11. You Understand That There's No Finish Line

When you're living your life's purpose, there's no finish line. It's not the destination that fulfils you, it's the journey.

Maybe you've set some hefty goals, but they won't satisfy you forever. Once you've achieved them, you'll set new ones. It'll never feel like you've 'made it'.

Once you've made peace with that, it becomes a lot easier to deal with your lack of progress.

Instead of being desperate to reach the end, you're more inclined to enjoy the ride.

My articles teach young men how to escape their comfort zones, improve their mental health and make better dating decisions. Follow me on Medium for more useful advice.

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