Reassessing Progress: The Blind Spots in Our Success

I’d just pulled into the supermarket car park, taking a sharp turn into a space—one of those quick, confident moves you make when you’re in a bit of a rush. I aligned my car with the one beside me, using the wing mirrors as my reference point. I judged it pretty well, I thought. Parked. Engine off. Job done.

But when I opened the door, I noticed something interesting:

I actually had more space than I realised.

And the car beside me? Well, it wasn’t parked quite as perfectly as I’d assumed.

A small shuffle forward, a glance at the mirrors again, a quick adjustment—and suddenly everything made more sense.

I was firmly in the space I needed to be.

Enough room behind for someone else to park.

Enough room for me to open the boot.

Enough room for us all to get where we’re going.

 And it struck me—isn’t that exactly how we often assess our own progress or success?

We measure against others

When we’re in a rush (or under pressure), we reach for the nearest marker—how someone else is doing, how they appear from our vantage point, what we think “aligned” should look like.

But their parking job might be off. Or their priorities different. Or their vehicle completely unlike ours.

We forget to recheck

What feels “good enough” in the moment might not hold up on closer reflection. It’s only when we step outside, get perspective, and take stock that we realise we could do things differently—with more space, more ease, more intention.

We forget we can adjust

 Just because you parked once doesn’t mean you’re stuck there. Small adjustments can create big relief. Room to breathe. Room for others to grow beside us.

So how should we measure progress?

Lasting motivation and satisfaction come from:

• Mastery over time (not just one-off wins)
• Meaning and contribution (not just comparison)
• Autonomy and alignment with values (not just external validation)

How does your progress measure up against those? Here are a few tips to reframe your progress check:

1. Use the right mirrors. Reflect on your values, your goals. Are you measuring progress based on what matters to you, or someone else’s definition of success? Measure the progress that matters.
2. Get out of the car. Step back regularly. Journaling, coaching, or just a short walk can help you spot the gaps—or the space —you’ve been missing. Time spent checking in on where you are and where you want to get it is never waster.
3. Make micro-adjustments. Progress doesn’t require a U-turn. Sometimes all you need is a small realignment to feel more in flow and on track. Straightening up the steering wheel and having your wheels facing the right direction for the next part of your journey is a great start.
4. Leave space for others. Progress is rarely just about getting ahead. It’s about moving forward in a way that makes room for collaboration, compassion, and community.

 So next time you find yourself judging your place based on the car next to you—or rushing to “tick the box” of being done—pause. Reassess. Give yourself the grace to adjust. You might be closer to where you need to be than you think.

 Where could you give yourself more room to grow today? I’d love to hear how you’re checking your own “mirrors.”