Why tracking progress can help overcome challenges

Jamie Gane jumping high in the air with arms and legs spread wide

Why tracking progress can help overcome challenges

Challenges are inevitable part of any journey. Read Jamie’s article for inspiration and practical tips to stay on track.

When you’re facing challenges, the smallest achievements become big wins

This article is the second of 3-part journey to share my suggestions for how to overcome challenges and continue striving to achieve your goals - no matter what size. The last article explored how big goals are actually made up of many small steps, and the importance of focusing on the small wins and celebrating them along the way. But what happens when the going gets tough? When challenges arise and progress feels impossible?

I’d like to introduce you to the magic of reframing your perspective. When faced with adversity, even the smallest achievements can become big wins.

Jame Gane sat on his bed surrounded by his medals and awards

Challenges are inevitable

Let's face it, challenges are a natural part of any journey - big or small. Whether it's an injury that disrupts your training schedule, a setback at work, or simply a lack of motivation, obstacles will appear. The key is not to let them derail your progress entirely.

When I underwent my amputation in 2016, despite being an active young man in my twenties, I had significant complications. Unfortunately, these complications left me as an inpatient in hospital for over 3 months. The weeks I spent in a hospital bed, comparing myself against others who had come and gone through the clinic. Often these other patients had come in with significant injuries and health complications yet, were leaving walking, while I was unable to - it was certainly a challenging time.

Challenges are inevitable

However, I soon realised that comparisons were not allowing me to be in a healthy mind, stifling my ability to progress and be happy. While there are lots of quotes out there about comparing yourself against others, I like to remember that you cannot change what others do or have achieved, only what you do to achieve.

I focus my efforts on the action points that I could achieve, to show progression. My three months in the hospital was a sharp learning curve about only trying to control the controllable aspects.

Celebrating success

In the last article, 'How to set achievable goals' I used the analogy of imagining that you're climbing a mountain. The summit seems miles away, and the path ahead is steep and treacherous. Discouragement may easily set in. But what if you shifted your focus? Instead of dwelling on the distance to the top, celebrate reaching the next bend in the trail.

This might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it's a win nonetheless. It signifies progress, however small. And those small wins, when strung together, create momentum and keep you moving forward.

For me, this was especially significant. After spending 14 years in a wheelchair due to chronic pain, simply taking a step after my amputation was a monumental achievement. It wasn't the mountain summit, but it was the first bend in the trail. It was a win that proved the impossible was possible. And with every step I took after that, the wins kept coming. The first time I walked without assistance, the first time I ran again, the first time I competed - these were all significant milestones, but they all stemmed from that very first step, that very first ‘success’.

Just like climbing a mountain, there were setbacks along the way. There were days when the pain returned, days when I felt discouraged, days when I questioned if I'd ever reach my goals. But by focusing on the small wins, I was able to maintain perspective and keep moving forward. Every step, every improvement, no matter how small, was a victory. And those victories, strung together, paved the way for me to achieve things I never thought possible.

Practical takeaways

Here are a few tips to help you identify and celebrate the small victories, even during challenging times:

Reframe your thinking: Instead of focusing on what you haven't accomplished, acknowledge what you have. Did you manage to squeeze in a short workout even though you were busy? Did you finally tackle that one difficult task on your to-do list? Celebrate these wins! I’d recommend planning time in your diary to look back and celebrate your wins.

Track your progress: Keeping a log or journal can be a great way to monitor your progress, no matter how small. Seeing your accomplishments in writing can be a powerful motivator.

Reward yourself: Set mini-goals and reward yourself for achieving them. This could be anything from a relaxing bath to a night out with friends.

Maintain perspective: Remember, everyone faces challenges. Don't compare your journey to someone else's. Focus on your own progress and celebrate your unique wins.

Ask for advice: Sometimes we don’t always appreciate what we’ve accomplished so ask a friend to help identify and improvements that have been made that week/month/year.

Challenges breed resilience

Overcoming challenges doesn't just make the small wins sweeter, it also builds resilience. The more obstacles you face and overcome, the better equipped you'll be to handle future difficulties. You'll learn to adapt, find solutions, and ultimately, become stronger and more determined.

So, the next time you're faced with a challenge, remember, it's not a roadblock, it's an opportunity. It's a chance to find the win in the ‘mini-win’ and build the resilience you need to reach your ultimate goals.

The next article explores the importance of celebrating small wins and how they can help you through difficult days.

How to set achievable goals

Struggling to get started on your goals? Jamie helps you break these down into small steps and shares how this approach helped him become a world-renowned adaptive athlete.