Trust the process – meaning, origin and usage

When a method of doing something is being used, you might hear the expression “trust the process”. If you’ve wondered what that means and how the phrase originated, you’ve come to just the place!

That’s because we will begin with the meaning and origin of the phrase before going on to discuss its usage with the help of a few handy examples. Then we will cover some notable uses of the phrase “trust the process” in literature and the media before going on to discuss similar and synonymous sayings.

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it!

What is the meaning of the phrase “trust the process”?

The phrase “trust the process” essentially means having faith in a long-term plan, even when the immediate results might not be positive. It is a motivational expression that encourages patience, perseverance, and faith in long-term progress despite short-term challenges, or even failures or losses.

What is the origin of the phrase “trust the process”?

The phrase “trust the process” seems to be a relatively recent one. The person most frequently credited with coining the term is Sam Hinkie in 2013, however he is only responsible for the popularisation of the term. We know that the phrase had been in use prior to this because there’s a published book, dating back to 1998, when the phrase was used as the title In an artist’s guide to letting go by the author Shaun McNuff.

The phrase “trust the process” was popularized in 2013, thanks to sports culture, specifically in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. Sam Hinkie, the team’s general manager, implemented a controversial rebuilding strategy that required patience and long-term commitment.

The strategy focused on long-term rebuilding by acquiring draft picks through “tanking,” which meant intentionally losing games to secure better draft positions; the idea being that fans should “trust the process” even when the team was losing in the short term to achieve future success. Fans were also encouraged to “trust the process,” even when the team faced short-term losses.

How to use the phrase “trust the process” - with example usage

The phrase “trust the process” can be used in a wide range of different contexts, and it is acceptable to use in polite company. Here are some examples of the phrase in use:

Person 1: I don’t like this new workout routine.

Person 2: Keep going. Don’t quit now. Trust the process.

Person A: What do you think of the new sales and marketing strategy?

Person B: It’s sure worth a shot. We’ll just have to trust the process and see what results we get. It could be a game changer.

Person X: Are you sure all this meditation is going to make a difference?

Person Y: Absolutely, just persevere and trust the process.

Person C: This is my first time at Alcoholics Anonymous. I’m nervous, I don’t know what to expect.

Person D: You’ll be just fine, just follow the steps, and trust in the process. It’s been working for me.

Notable uses of the phrase “trust the process” in literature and the media

The phrase “trust the process” is widely used in self-improvement, sports, business, psychology, and creative endeavors. Since the phrase gained mainstream popularity through basketball and sports culture it has since been adopted in literature, film, television, and music.

The themes of trusting the process can be found in self-help and motivational Books such as “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth, published in 2016, which encourages long-term dedication and embracing setbacks as part of the journey.

There is also the book “Atomic Habits” written by James Clear and published in 2018 which explains how small, but consistent changes can lead to significant results over time. Then there’s also the book “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra published in 1994, which discusses the law of detachment and faith in progress, similar to the philosophy of “trusting the process.

The theme also appears in fiction works, such as “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho (1988), “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown (2018), and “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle (2020).

Films that embrace the theme include the “Rocky” series (1976–present), “The Karate Kid” (1984), “Coach Carter” (2005), “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) and “Moneyball” (2011).

There has even been a song called “Trust the Process, released by the Philadelphia hip-hop rapper Meek Mill in 2017 which directly references the NBA’s 76ers’ slogan in his music, emphasizing patience and perseverance.

What are some other ways of saying “trust the process”?

If you didn’t want to use the exact phrase “trust the process” you may be pleased to hear that there are many alternative ways of saying pretty much the same thing. Here’s a quick run through of words and phrases that are synonymous with the term:

Relax, have more faith in the process.
You can fail again and again, failing better each time.
You need to trust the method, with consistency change will come.
Exercise patience, the process takes time.
You don’t get to perfection overnight, be patient.
The change you seek will come. These things take time.
Continued practice will bring long term success.
Perseverance and grit is the only way forward.
Don’t quit now, keep going, it will work out eventually.

Final word

So, in summary, the phrase “trust the process” essentially means having faith in a long-term plan, even when the immediate results might not be positive. The precise origin of the phrase is not known, but we do know that the phrase was popularised in 2013, when it was used by Sam Hinkie, the manager of the NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers, when he implemented a controversial strategy that required patience, long-term commitment, and even short-term failures.