Embracing the Beauty of Being a Work in Progress
David Trotter is publisher of Awakened Magazine and a Life Transformation Coach with 25 years of experience helping people in the areas of healing, spirituality, and leadership. He is the author of a dozen books including Empowered to Rise and Superconscious Conversations, producer/director of four feature films on important social issues, and a Certified Breathwork and Guided Meditation Facilitator.
Work in progress is evident during my daily walks, as I see constant development around me.
Where I live in southern California, it’s quite common to see major remodels and house builds in every neighborhood. Because the original homes were probably built in the 50s and 60s, people buy a home, tear it down, and build a new one in its place.
In fact, just a couple weeks ago, flatbed trucks with big equipment rolled up in my cul-de-sac and a team of workers dismantled an entire home right across the street within a couple of days.
After they took away all the boards and pipes and wiring, they put up a high fence with a covering around the property so that no one can get in…or even see in.
As a nosey neighbor, I’ll see some workers come and go – doing something, but I’m not sure what. One day, they dug a big hole, and I wondered what was happening. And, now, it’s been a week or so with nothing happening…that I can see.
Whether I can see the progress or not, here’s what I know is true…it’s a work in progress.
I might not be able to see physical results of something happening, but behind the scenes, people are planning, making choices, getting permits, and all sorts of things.
It’s a work in progress.
The truth is that you can’t always see outward progress that you want to see in your life or business even though things are happening behind the scenes.
You and I are a work in progress.
To see those outward results, it requires a plan, consistent behind the scenes work, and a tenacity to keep going.
Have you ever started something and expected to see significant results right away?
- I ate healthy for one day…why haven’t I lost 10 pounds?
- I exercised three times in a week…where are the muscles?
- I was super-nice to my spouse yesterday…why hasn’t our relationship changed?
- I started my new business….why am I not making tons of money?
If we look over the construction fence of our lives, and say, “Good grief! I can’t believe my life isn’t a big, beautiful mansion yet. What’s up with this problem over here? Why is there a hole in the ground? Who left all this trash behind?”
There’s nothing wrong with having big goals, but when we expect tremendous results without a plan, consistent investment, and tenacity, we’ll probably end up quitting whatever it is we started.
Yet, if we see ourselves – our bodies, our business skills, our relationships, our mindset – all as a work in progress, we give ourselves the grace to be where we are – while having a vision of where we want to be.
We are all a work in progress.
The truth is that you can’t always see outward progress that you want to see in your life or business even though things are happening behind the scenes. You and I are a work in progress.
David Trotter is publisher of Awakened Magazine and a Life Transformation Coach with 25 years of experience helping people in the areas of healing, spirituality, and leadership. At the age of 18, David sensed a call into ministry and completed his undergraduate and seminary work in preparation to become a pastor. After 10 years of starting and growing churches in southern California, he was burned out from trying to fill an internal hole of not-enoughness, which resulted in burnout, implosion, healing, and a new chapter of life. For the past 16 years, David has broadened his spirituality while continuing to invest in the life transformation of others. He is the author of a dozen books including Empowered to Rise and Superconscious Conversations, producer/director of four feature films on important social issues, and a Certified Breathwork and Guided Meditation Facilitator.
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