Patience in Progress: Understanding That Some Things Take Time to Come to Fruition
- Polly Behringer
- Jan 6
- 8 min read
In our fast-paced world, where instant gratification is often just a click away, it's easy to become impatient when our goals, dreams, or projects that don't materialize as quickly as we'd like. However, one of the most valuable lessons in life is recognizing that some things simply take time to come to fruition. Patience is a crucial ingredient for any form of success in your life.
The Nature of Growth and Development
Blah, blah, blah.... Stick with me... I promise you... This will be a blog you'll want to refer back to when you fall off or get lost... need to recenter yourself or take a U-turn on your path.
Whether you're building a career, nurturing a relationship, or developing a skill, growth is rarely linear or swift. Most meaningful achievements are the result of consistent effort over time. Think of a seed planted in the soil—visible progress might be slow at first, but underneath, roots are growing, and potential is developing. Similarly, your endeavors need time to mature.
Where do You Want to Be in ______?
It's easy to get caught up and overwhelmed by life. Take a step back and access:
what's working...
what's not...
and WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE in the next 6 months
The first time I tried 75 Hard Challenge I failed... Then I stepped back, figured out what wasn't working... and tried it again. This led me to completing one of the toughest challenges for me (at the time), went on to complete the Live Hard phase 1 & 2. I quit the Live Hard Year for a bucket list adventure. The challenge taught me things I needed to know about myself to move on, evolve and think outside of the box into a realm of more possibilities.
The following pics is what I found online; and neither of them is an accurate depiction the real 75 Hard Challenge. The challenge picked up momentum and people began watering down what it really takes to successfully complete the 75 day challenge.
If you want to do something, go to the core. I picked up the book by the founder of the 75 Hard Challenge, listened to all the podcasts, invested in the app and set myself into motion. I did NOT want to be at day 50 and realize I missed a step. You miss a step or miss a day, you're back at square 1 on Day 1.
I'm a firm believer that I don't listen, follower or take information in from others not living their walk. Maybe this is one reason, this year... I'll be sharing with you all the walks I've taken to give weight and proof that transformation is possible holistically.
Accountability, Does it matter?
The only person holding yourself accountable is you. The thing about accomplishing something; you move into a new circle of influence... and entering that circle comes with a higher level of integrity. You can those that did... and those that didn't. It was easy to spot them.
I was a single parent going through a difficult custody battle 30 years ago. I would sit at lunch tables on my designated pick up days... and I could tell which parents were the primary custodial parents... and which were not. How? I was the non-custodial parent. It comes with vibe; a defeatist vibe in the 90's as a mother who lost custody. This was a rarity.
I could spot the 'other' parents in the same boat. This is what I mean...you can spot others because you identify with them in core areas; there's a frequency you emit.
The Journey is Lesson.
It's true when they say it's about the journey and not the destination.
I'm not trying to convince you to do a challenge... I'm just setting the scene to this RABBIT Hole blog I'm taking you down.
One of the requirements was a progress pic. This should be the easy part, but for most... this is where they fail. I failed the first time I tried the challenge because I needed something bigger than me; a bigger purpose.
A Bigger Why is Important
I aligned with a animal rescue, showed up after my progress pic and went right into showcasing animals that were on the brink of being euthanized. Yes, me being in a bikini helped them get 1,000's of eyes on dogs on the euthanized list. I'd place a green screen of a pic of the dogs, and went ham on my stories.
Brilliant, right? Well, I got a lot of criticism from rescue groups, a lot of hateful comments... and a mass exodus of 20,000 women followers plus daily of lewd comments. Women left because they believed I was sexualizing my content. Rescues thought I was using dogs to get visibility on my page. The lewd comments was because I was in a bikini.
What I was really doing was habit stacking and adding purpose to a challenge that I originally struggled to complete the first time around.
I will warn you, the following is day 45 of the challenge. I recorded my thoughts each day moving through the challenge. AND I'M SO GLAD I DID. I look back and still blown away by how much I was not living fully before the challenge. If bikinis offend you, click the video to listen to and not watch. So, times the lessons we learn come wrapped in messengers we struggle to accept.
What did I learn...
Looking back from 2025, any amount of hate you get holds true if you believe it. I learned to tune out the noise, the mental "self-limiting belief" chatter...I walked away from relationships (family, friends, dating) that don't align. I feel good about where I'm at.
The Power of Persistence
Understanding that some things take time helps us stay committed even during periods of apparent stagnation. Persistence is often the only difference between success and giving up too early. Every setback or delay is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow stronger. Remember, the most worthwhile accomplishments often require patience and perseverance.
In March, I do the 4x4x48 David Goggins' Challenge. This is where you run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. You start on the same day and time, David Goggins starts whereever he is in the world. In Oklahoma, I was set to begin at 10pm on a Friday night and would finish 48 hours later. Legs of the challenge would look Friday, 10pm Friday, Saturday 2am, 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm and Sunday 2am, 6am, 10am, 2pm... and so on till you complete a 48 hour window.
The first time I did this challenge I didn't know what to expect. By leg 9, I was hitting an emotional wall. When I got to the last leg, I felt a surge of energy completing my last run at sunset.
The next time I did the challenge, I had clients that wanted to do it with me. I already knew what to expect which in some ways was worse. After that year, I did the next following times alone. It was brutal, but beautifully cathartic. I knew what to expect, but now I'm digging deeper moving through new layers of myself. Each time you do the challenge, you begin in a different (mental, mental or physical) place - so no journey is ever the same.
I look back at that little pic... and I remember exactly how I was feeling; triggered.... Our bodies have this beautiful ability to store emotions... trauma as tension in the muscle, tissues and organs of our bodies... And when something FEEEEEELs familiar, it goes into into your rolodex and pulls something out to either heal or hide from.
Embracing New Opportunities and Risks
I am always up to the challenge. I have just as many dark moments as moments I've been able to step into my light and experience something that burns away a layer of myself I no longer need.
As we step into a new year, it’s exciting to see the emergence of new opportunities. For instance, I'm bringing in a variety of upcoming classes to kick off the year. The Release Reset class continues to sell out—a testament to the growing interest and commitment. The NEW class is a monthly biohacking class, embracing innovative ideas combined with ancient holistic modalities. And in October, I'll be hosting my 3rd Annual Wellness RELEASE RESET Retreat, an elevated experience from our past retreats.
I'm taking a risk on introducing a new classes.
Taking risks often lead to the most rewarding experiences. Patience and willingness to explore new paths are vital in making the most of these opportunities. And I'll be reshaping the message I bring about the class. To get a class to place where others see value in what I'm offering, is not the destination - but the journey.
Managing Expectations and Staying Motivated
While patience is vital, it’s also important to set realistic expectations. Understand that progress may be slow, but consistency keeps the momentum going. Celebrate small wins along the way; they serve as reminders that you’re moving forward.
I am impatient at heart; it's my childlike enthusiasm. But a great mentor in the 90's said to me... Sometimes, you have to let it simmer. Things can't be rushed.
Embracing the Journey
Sometimes, the process itself is as valuable as the outcome. The lessons learned, skills acquired, and resilience built during the wait are treasures that shape us into better versions of ourselves.
Purging is Part of the Process
In 2024, I walked across Spain with everything on my back... alone. That experience could have taken away the potential of being where I am now. The journey was layers and layers of learning... emotional struggles and purging.
I didn't know these guys in the beginning... and they didn't know each other. But this is the three of us returning BACK to the END POINT of the Camino de Santiago. I went on the Muxia and then Finisterre in Spain... where I bumped into one again in Muxia and the other in Finisterre. We all ended back here again - freshly showered and then went on our own paths. Me on to Portugal.
The thing is the risks we take leads us onto paths we may never have expected.
Final Thoughts
Knowing that some things take time to come into fruition can ease frustration and foster a mindset of growth and resilience. Trust the process, stay committed, and remember that patience is often the bridge between dreams and reality. As we embark on this new year with fresh opportunities, let’s embrace the journey with an open mind and a patient heart.
I'm excited to learn of your own adventures in 2026. Looking back also us the opportunity to reframe our past to push the envelope of what is possible. I'm excited for you!
Much Love,
Polly Behringer
Looking forward to starting your new class!