How long does progress take? Classic question! Right up there with hits like, “Are we there yet?” and “How long is a piece of string?”
It helps, of course, to clarify what we’re talking about. So, I’ll refer here to ballpark numbers for unambiguous improvement. It should be clear to the naked eye – or tastefully nude microscope.
Image placeholder
Intended subject: A vintage engraving of an antique brass microscope on a stand, labeled Pillischer.. No matching asset in build/assets.
"Magnify me like one of your French girls."
In each of the following examples, there is a range given. The low-end is based on motor learning and skill development. This can be lightning-fast. Structural changes (the laying down or redistribution of tissue) take much longer.
How long?
You can see clear improvements to:
- Skill: from milliseconds to hours
- Skill observed through structural changes in the brain and nervous system: 10 days to 6 weeks
- Gene expression: minutes to hours
- Maximal speed: 30 seconds to 30 days
- Strength endurance: a couple of minutes to a couple of weeks
- Aerobic endurance: substantial changes in the first 6-12 weeks; significant changes for the next 9-12 months
- Tendon and ligament strength/healing: from a couple of weeks to over a year
- Muscle tissue: weeks to months
- Bone density: from a few months to over a year
- Synaptic pruning (unlearning): 3-4 weeks
Image placeholder
Intended subject: A diagram showing how the adult brain prunes back the dendritic branches of newly developing neurons over time (Image credit: Salk Institute).. No matching asset in build/assets.
All of the above stuff is rooted in neuroscience and physiology. And it’s important because it helps us understand that many types of good things can’t be rushed. But I also feel like a huge part of the health process is learning to be at peace with the process – showing up, doing the work, knowing that you’ve done whatever is necessary. And sleeping peacefully because of that! Should we periodically check in to make sure we’re not just spinning our wheels? Definitely. But if we focus too much on our outcomes over our process, we’ll also miss out on most of the joy and meaning.
A wise powerlifter once described the process of mastery to me through the lens of a hiker. He said to periodically look up at the mountain – to confirm you’re headed in the right direction – and down at your shoes to check where you are – but to spend most of your attention on the path just ahead of you. It’s good advice – and it doesn’t take long at all.
Wishing you a peaceful long weekend,
GG
Keep reading
One essay a week, written by Geoff. No hype.