I enjoy listening to stories of people who have accomplished amazing things. I am drawn to what appears to be superhuman feats and what went into making those moments happen. You see it all the time in athletics. Some athlete completes some incredible feat, making it look easy. Yet those moments are the byproduct of something else.

In our Instagram world, we get to see controlled glimpses of what people want us to see. These glimpses distort our reality and give us distorted perceptions of what is real. I recently read a biography on one of my favorite bands. It was a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain into their lives. The difference between my perception and reality was amazing. Therein lies the rub of our current world.

Achievement is often hidden behind a glossy image and a brief glimpse of an outcome. What we fail to see is the effort and failures leading up to the Kodak moment. It is these hidden moments where the real magic happens. What the final images hide from view are the first tender steps towards an unknown outcome.

Recently I listened to a podcast featuring Amelia Boone. Amelia is a three-time world champion obstacle course racer. She competes in events like the 24-hour Tough Mudder and other Spartan type races. These races push the limits of physical endurance and mental toughness.

During the interview, she talked about breaking down in the middle of a race. She described the moment when she became overwhelmed by the task in front of her. At that moment, she sat sobbing and wondering how she would ever be able to complete the race. That is when she discovered the problem was in the way she was viewing the race.

She came to the realization that her macro view of the race was too much to consider. When she focused on the miles, hours and course conditions, it was too much. But, what she could get her mind wrapped around was a micro view and what she had to do in the next moment.

If she could focus on the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, she felt she could make it. This shift in thinking allowed her to go on and not only complete the race but win it.

Therein lies the lesson glossed over in today’s instant gratification world. The lesson is, to be successful you must be able to embrace the suck and do hard things.

Understanding the big picture is important. Yet it is the small, seemingly insignificant daily things that make the difference.

Amelia discovered that by putting one foot in front of the other, she could overcome her feelings and move forward. It was through this process she discovered the joy of the moment and changed her entire approach. She began to switch her focus from winning races to embracing her training.

This switch allowed her to find joy in a sport where many people only see pain.

The ability to find joy in the moment is challenging. Many people focus only on outcomes, rather than the processes needed to produce the desired outcomes. Having the right processes in place will produce the desired outcomes.

The difference between success and failure lies in having the right processes in place. If one doesn’t have the correct processes in place, failure will follow. Having processes in place removes the dependence on willpower and motivation. Processes allow doing without thinking.

In the end, the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other is often all one needs to succeed. Remember, success isn’t always about talent or willpower. What it is about, is embracing the suck and finding joy in the journey.

Jeff Hough is a business author, blogger and speaker in Pocatello.