I noticed this when I was working as a city bus driver, most shifts last between 7-8 hours, sometimes split between morning and afternoon rush hours.

Time is of course constant but the perception of it is distorted by the timing points in certain stops to keep the schedule on time.

On average timing points are separated by 5-10 minute intervals. As drivers can see the next 5 timing points on the screen and gauging the traffic on when they should leave to maximize idle time to be honest, this automatically removes the length of their shift in their mind.

Had there been no timing points to focus on, all the driver can think of is the 7 hours and that would make his shift feel longer and longer as he looks at the time.

Same with goal setting.

I started working on my pilot license in late 2017, had I known that it would take 3 years for me to get my commercial license and another 3 years to work as a pilot, it could have discouraged me to continue. But since the training is split in many stages that makes the timeline less daunting. From learning the parts of a plane, first solo, first cross country, upper air work etc.

Now the goal is to get 750 hours to be considered by some big players in the industry until I reach 1,500 hours that would basically make me an ideal candidate for almost all commercial airlines, anywhere.

Yesterday due to weather we had to divert and land prematurely but still logged 1.9 to my log book. One flight at a time and soon enough I’ll get to the next milestone in my career.

You can use this principle deliberately by spreading a long timeline in mini milestones or a big task in small steps or stages that would make it more doable and less overwhelming.

It is indeed the journey and not the destination.

Enjoy the process.