Daily writing prompt

What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?

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The most profound piece of advice I’ve ever received came from my grandfather, near the end of his life. He said, “Don’t confuse motion with progress.”

At first, I thought I understood it. But honestly, I didn’t. Back then, I measured my worth by how busy I was—late nights, endless to-do lists, a calendar packed with meetings and obligations. I mistook exhaustion for accomplishment. If I was moving, I assumed I was moving forward.

He saw through that. He’d watched me sprint in place for years, and he knew the toll it was taking.

So did I take his advice? Yes and no. For a long time, I paid it lip service while staying on the same hamster wheel. But eventually, something shifted. I started asking myself—before committing to a task or a goal—”Is this actually moving me toward what matters, or just keeping me occupied?” I began carving out stillness, cutting the performative busyness, and focusing on a few things deeply rather than many things shallowly.

I’d say I finally took his advice, just not as quickly as I should have. And every time I catch myself spinning again, I hear his voice—and I stop.