An ice cube only melts when the temperature reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At 31 degrees, it's still an ice cube.
When we quit an endeavor, like learning a musical instrument, getting in shape, writing a book, or starting a business, it's often because we're not seeing results right away.
But there's a threshold. A threshold of latent potential. The point where we've done a certain amount of work and we start seeing results.
But we need to get a number of reps and cycles of practice in before we reach that threshold. And there's no telling when we're going to get there. It's different for everyone.
That's the part we forget, if we ever knew about it to begin with.
How many of us quit right when things were about to get exciting? Turned off the heat at 31 degrees, as it were.
If you eat well and exercise enough days in a row, you will start noticing differences eventually. There's no question about that.
If you practice every day for a year, you'll notice how much better your playing gets. If you're practicing properly, that is.
If you write every morning for eight months, you will have a manuscript.
Don't question it. Do the reps. Put in the time. Reach your threshold of latent potential.
And once you reach it, get back to work so you can begin closing in on the next one.