In Others’ Words: A Work in Progress

As I moved the graphic over into this blog post, two words stood out to me in the quote: in progress. 

“In progress” means motion. Forward motion. We’re moving toward something — a goal. A dream. There’s action happening.

When I was deciding on the graphic to use for the quote, I skimmed through lots of photos of staircases and stepping stones. But I found myself thinking, “No. I need movement in the picture. I need someone walking up those stairs.” And that’s why I settled on the photograph above. Only afterward did the words “in progress” jump out at me.

Too often we beat ourselves up when our efforts don’t produce the results we want fast enough. Or the results aren’t good enough and we have to start over — take a step or two back — and try again. We call ourselves “failures” and wonder how many other people realize that about us, too. We wonder why we even tried in the first place. We think about giving up — just stopping in our tracks because, really, what’s the point?

The point is progress.

And one thing I’ve learned is progress is rarely from success to success to success. I may know where I want to go. I may even map out my steps. But some of those steps can end up being missteps.

That doesn’t mean I’m a failure. It just means I’m not where I want to be yet. But that’s okay: I am a work in progress. I will get where I’m going a little at a time, with leaps and bounds and missteps.

We are all works in progress. Not perfect — but our efforts are worth our time. We never know who we will meet along the way … and we just may be surprised at who we become …

In Your Words: How do you feel about being a work in progress? 

 

In Others' Words: A Work in Progress http://bit.ly/2Aseq5H #quotes #perspective
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'Stop beating yourself up. You are a work in progress, which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.' Quote by Unknown http://bit.ly/2Aseq5H #progress #perspective
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