Everyone preaches that you should enjoy the process of your craft more than the result…but no one ever tells you how to learn to love the process.

Let’s be honest, when we have a goal in mind, most of us visualize the end result. The congratulations, the celebrations, the awards, and accolades. Or maybe even the failures and disappointment. 

Regardless, the vision of the process is often neglected when the process is the heartbeat of the vision, the only thing that will make it come to life. 

It’s great to be motivated by the end result of something, but when the going gets tough your love for the process is what needs to be your lifeline. 

Why You Need to Learn to Love the Process

Any craft takes time to master. Whether it’s writing, modifying cars, or baking cupcakes, your willingness to dedicate time to learning and practicing the skills required for your craft is vital. 

Along with time, learning to love or at least like, the process of your craft is important.

The results you have formulated in your brain are never a guarantee.

So when times are less than ideal and your blog posts aren’t getting the views you hoped for or your car detailing business isn’t getting a lot of customers, are you going to give up?

If you are in love with the result more than the process, it’s likely you will do just that- quit because the results aren’t there. 

The discouragement experienced from lack of results will be too much. The absence of instant success or even just variable success has a way of morphing your thoughts and making you feel ill-equipped. 

If you learn to love the process, though, you become stronger in fighting the fight against a success-based, results-driven society.

Number One: Make the Process Unique and Fun

A great way to experience a high frequency of burnout is by practicing your craft in the same way, at the same time, every single time. Sure, it takes a certain level of mundanity to build a sustainable habit but after extended periods of time…you’re just going to get bored. Even if your craft is your lifes’ purpose. 

If you practice your craft three times a week, try to ~spice it up~ every week by creating a unique experience. Even if you only do it one out of the three days, this variability will make you excited to keep practicing, learning, and getting better. 

For me, this looks like taking one day out of the week to write in a location other than my apartment. This may be a new coffee shop, a local library, or even outside when the weather is nice. Breaking your routine in this way can provide for unique experiences you might otherwise not have had. 

Oftentimes when I write in public, overhearing the chatter of others can inspire me to word things a certain way or even write a blog post about a particular topic. There is inspiration to be found in writing in public that I do not get when I write alone in my apartment. 

Adding something fun and unique into your process, gives you something to look forward to. Because even if I don’t look forward to writing, I sure as heck look forward to getting a latte at my favorite coffee shop. 

Number Two: Foster Your Curiosity and Desire to Learn

In the process of practicing your craft, it’s important to keep a mindset of curiosity, one that fosters your desire to learn.

If you have been practicing woodworking for 10 years and feel you know everything there is to know about the craft, it can be easy to let the spark of passion die. 

Keeping an open mindset and acknowledging that there’s always something new to learn makes room for endless opportunities. 

It allows the process to continue to be new and exciting, even after decades of practice. 

Number Three: Have a Dedicated Space to Practice Your Craft

Creating a dedicated space for the practice of your craft helps in not only enjoying the process but also in getting your mind in the right space to focus and fully engage in the process.

If you have the luxury of space, create a room where you can go whenever you’re ready to practice your craft. Make it a unique space, one that encourages your creativity and motivates you when the internal motivation is low. 

If you do not have the luxury of space, create a vibe that is unique to the process of practicing your craft. Light a candle, put on a certain playlist, or buy a comfy chair that you always sit in. 

Even something as simple as making yourself a cup of tea can help transform your mood, get you in the right headspace to focus, and allow you to enjoy the process. 

Number Four: Join or Build a Community with Similar Interests

Naturally, we are very social creatures even if we consider ourselves to be an introvert. 

When you begin the endeavor of following your passions, community can be something that challenges you, holds you accountable, and pushes you to be your best. 

It’s easy to isolate yourself when beginning to learn and practice a craft. Being on your own can make the process lonesome, boring, and that much harder.

It’s easier to give up on yourself than it is to give up on a community. 

Joining or building a community that has similar interests can help to make the process more enjoyable and can encourage you to press forward when times are tough. 

Number Five: Create Milestone Goals 

Finally, creating small milestone goals can help in making the long term commitment to the process feel worth it. 

In a results-driven and success-dependent society, it can feel like the process isn’t valuable when you aren’t seeing the results you think you should be seeing. 

In the pursuit of learning to love the process, create milestone goals that encourage you not only to achieve those goals but to set higher and harder goals, thus making you better. 

When we go into something, we often have a vision of how it will end up. But how often does that vision actually become reality? Try not to get attached to the end goal, rather find fulfillment in achieving the small victories. 

Loving the Process 

Oftentimes when you first begin the journey of pursuing a passion, interest, or hobby, the process will naturally be engaging, exciting, and fun simply due to the fact that it’s new. 

But when the thrill of novelty wears off and/or the results are less than ideal, what is going to sustain you?

Learning to fall in love with the process promotes longevity and gives you hope when the light at the end of the tunnel is dim. 

Plus, falling in love with the process makes the results that much better. Because you already find fulfillment in the process, gaining the results is just the cherry on top of the cake.