Work in Progress... or is it?
I’ve said it. You’ve likely said it too.
We hear it all the time.
“Work in progress”
Now, before I begin, for the record, I do believe that much of what we try to achieve in fitness is a journey, with many stops and starts. And so, yes, the “work in progress” mantra is often stated and true. It allows us to give ourselves some grace as we trod along a not-so-easy journey at times.
But the other day, I saw it written in a post and it struck me.
Is it?
Is it really a “work in progress”?
Or is that an excuse used when we try a little and give up quick?
Has that phrase become cliché and an easy “pass” when we don’t call out on our own BS?
Because if, for example, I want to track my nutrition better or be more consistent in my workouts, but I “fail” time and time and time again…. for years, I gotta ask the question… are you really working at it and are you really making so-called progress (whatever that actually means to you)?
Or are you “trying” when it’s convenient, stop when it’s not, find an excuse ( cuz we all have them in our back pockets) and simply call out… “oh well, work in progress” so you feel less to blame? Hmm…
Now I know that sounds mean, so forgive me here. But if I really want to change something in my life, whether that’s saving more money, having more nutrition awareness, tracking my workouts or anything pertaining to life, then I need to take action steps often.
On the daily.
Because repetition and practice ultimately create change.
So I’m not saying stop using the “work in progress” catch phrase. Lord knows I use it too. But next time you do, ask yourself a few questions:
Am I truly working at it on a consistent basis?
Am I truly seeing progress?
Do I often have these stops and start again scenarios and if so, how can I work to change that cycle and actually improve?
Final Thoughts:
I think, yes, we need to forgive ourselves when we screw up or don’t reach the standard we’ve created for ourselves. But by the same token, we need to forge ahead and establish if what we’re supposedly working on is something we really want.
I heard a quote though I don’t know from who, so I can’t give credit unfortunately, but it’s this:
“ The deep work is the ‘heartwork’ is the hard work.”
Sometimes we need to call ourselves out and be brutally honest in order to move forward and yes, achieve “the thing”… not just resort to a default setting that claims “work in progress”.
And that my friend, is not easy work.
Have you recently used the “work in progress” phrase?
What was the context? Did it help you or harm you in moving forward towards your goals?
Do you have difficulty calling yourself out when you’ve fallen short?
Do you own your outcomes based on the choices you’ve made?
I’d love to hear from you!
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