Have you ever played that game called “Bull$hit”? Yep. I have. Have you ever heard “trust the process” and your inner critic screams, “BULL$HIT, I WIN!!!”

Yes, I’ve told myself to trust the process many times and sometimes I believed it. Other times I did not believe it. 2015 was an exciting year of growth and change. I was extremely frustrated with many things, and learned to cope with life and the cards thrown my way. The biggest challenge was to let go, trust the journey and not rush the process.

It’s so easy to get caught up in tomorrow that you forget to focus on the here and now. You cannot change yesterday, and cannot worry about tomorrow. You can only dwell on being present to where your feet are.

I was recently listening to something that got me thinking. Last year I was patiently learning much about myself and my new normal. I rushed things, which resulted in failed attempts and frustrations. I’m thankful that I didn’t give up and throw in the towel athletically. I’m thankful for the many lessons I learned about life. Life has a funny sense of humor.

Any type of process is difficult. Processes in and of themselves take time, effort and energy. Patience is involved. So many times we are so quick to go right from A to Z and completely skip B-C-D-E-F-etc etc. The most pain and joys are found in the process. You learn much about yourself, others, and the world around you.

Part of the process is trust. Trust in every aspect – what’s known and evident, but also the unknown. You don’t necessarily need to know what is unfolding or why, but simply be present to where your feet are. Be present to experience everything. Things don’t go according to plan, and that’s the beauty of life. You have to have trust and faith. Trust the process, the unknown. It’s so easy to say trust the process, but you have to live it (something I’m still learning). As Connie Chapman says, “It is not until you are standing naked and vulnerable with all that you thought you knew stripped away, that you really are forced to practice, live and breathe that profound level of trust.”

The beauty is when you pass a threshold, a new one awaits. I’ve shed an old part of me, and have embraced an even more powerful mind, body and soul. Change may not be evident to those on the outside, and goes unnoticed. But, change does occur!

Here’s a perfect example: I love swimming (sarcasm). It’s my worst sport in triathlon. Several months ago I was in the pool, and was flailing around here and there. My body position was awful and I felt like a very awkward elephant. My friend was there swimming, too, and got out of the pool to watch me. I could tell there was so much she wanted to point out. She focused on one thing, and I went to work. We were swimming a month ago, and she got out to watch me. Her smile said it all. I changed. I was making improvement. My body position improved dramatically. Now, I still have a lot of work to get back to where I was and even surpass that. It’s a process. A frustrating one at times; an exciting one, too!!

Commit to the work and trust the process. Show up, let go and have faith! You don’t have to have all the answers or have everything figured out. Trust the process, not only during the good times, but also during the rocky times.

I’m still learning this and reminded of it every day when I’m training, working and all things in between.  If I could challenge you with anything as you kick start your 2016, learn from my biggest lesson learned.Trust the process – whatever process you’re going through now or will go through. Be present to where you’re feet are!