Trusting the Journey: Why Letting Go of Control Can Lead to Success

Charde Alicyn
DIVINE Magazine Detroit
5 min readSep 13, 2023
Photo by Ivan Samkov

‍Life is full of uncertainties, and it’s easy to feel we need to control every aspect of our lives to ensure that we end up where we want to be. However, the truth is that letting go of control and trusting the journey can often lead to even greater success than we could have imagined. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of embracing the process, the role of trust and faith in success, and real-life examples of successful people who trusted the journey.

The Benefits of Letting Go of Control

One of the biggest benefits of letting go of control is that it can reduce stress and anxiety. When we try to control everything, we can become overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions we have to make, and we may end up feeling like we’re never doing enough. By relinquishing some of that control and trusting the journey, we can free ourselves from the weight of that responsibility.

Letting go of control can also open us up to new opportunities and experiences. When we’re so focused on controlling every aspect of our lives, we can become closed off to anything that doesn’t fit into our pre-determined plan. By trusting the journey, we’re more open to unexpected opportunities that can lead us down a path we never could have imagined.

How Trust and Faith Play a Role in Success

Trust and faith are essential components of success because they allow us to take risks and pursue our goals without fear of failure. When we trust everything will work out, we’re more likely to take the necessary risks to achieve our dreams.

Faith is important because it allows us to keep going even when things get tough. When faced with obstacles or setbacks, it’s easy to become discouraged and give up. However, if we have faith that everything is happening for a reason and that we’ll eventually reach our destination, we’re more likely to persevere through those difficult times.

Embracing the Process: Why Step-by-Step Progress is Important

Success is rarely achieved overnight. It’s usually the result of a series of small steps that, when combined, lead to a big accomplishment. We can become overwhelmed and discouraged when we focus too much on the end goal. However, if we break our goals into smaller, more manageable steps, we can make steady progress and stay motivated.

Embracing the process also allows us to learn and grow along the way. When we’re so focused on the end result, we can miss the valuable lessons from the journey. By taking time and focusing on each step, we can learn from our mistakes, make adjustments, and become better equipped to handle challenges.

The Value of Patience in Achieving Success

Patience is a virtue, and it’s essential to achieving success. When working towards a goal, it’s easy to become impatient and want to see results immediately. However, success often takes time, and it’s important to recognize that progress may be slow at times.

Patience also allows us to enjoy the journey. We can miss the small victories along the way when we’re so focused on the end result. We can appreciate each step and find joy in the process by taking time and being patient.

Finding Joy in the Journey: Why the Process is Just as Important as the Outcome

The outcome is important, but the process often brings us the most joy. We can become stressed and overwhelmed when we’re so focused on the end result. However, if we learn to appreciate each step, we can find joy in the journey.

Finding joy in the journey also allows us to stay motivated. When we enjoy the process, we’re more likely to stay committed to our goals and progress steadily.

Tips for Learning to Trust the Journey

Learning to trust the journey can be difficult, but it’s essential if we want to achieve success. Here are some tips for letting go of control and embracing the process:

  1. Set realistic goals: When we set too lofty goals, we can become discouraged when we don’t achieve them right away. Set challenging but achievable goals, and break them down into smaller steps.
  2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help us stay present in the moment and appreciate each step along the way. Take time to meditate or practice deep breathing exercises to help reduce stress and anxiety.
  3. Let go of perfectionism: Perfectionism can be a major obstacle when trusting the journey. Remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the process and how we learn and grow.

Real-Life Examples of Successful People Who Trusted the Journey

Many successful people have learned to trust the journey and embrace the process. One such person is Oprah Winfrey, who has spoken extensively about letting go of control and trusting the process. Despite facing numerous setbacks and obstacles throughout her career, Oprah remained committed to her goals and continued to take small steps toward achieving them.

Another example is J.K. Rowling, who faced rejection from numerous publishers before finally finding success with the Harry Potter series. Despite the setbacks, Rowling continued to write and pursue her passion, trusting that everything would eventually work out.

The Pitfalls of Micromanaging and Trying to Control Everything

While it’s important to have control over certain aspects of our lives, micromanaging and trying to control everything can be detrimental to our success. When we’re so focused on controlling every detail, we can become overwhelmed and stressed and miss out on unexpected opportunities.

Micromanaging can also be detrimental to our relationships. When we’re constantly trying to control everything, we can become controlling and overbearing, which can push people away.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey and Trust the Process

Trusting the journey can be difficult, but it’s essential to achieve success. By letting go of control and embracing the process, we can reduce stress and anxiety, open ourselves up to new opportunities, and find joy in the journey. Remember to set realistic goals, practice mindfulness, let go of perfectionism, and stay committed. With time and patience, success will follow.

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