Progress – What is it?
Progress as defined by collins dictionary, is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something. It’s the process of advancing towards a desired objective, improvement, result, or growth in various realms of life and society. It can take place in the areas of health, finance, relationships and social interactions, spirituality, or intellectual development
Progress is not a straight line
Progress is a journey of growth and development in different areas. We expect progress and growth to happen in a linear way, where we go from step to step without deviation. But that’s next to impossible. In reality, progress is a complex, non-linear path that doesn’t follow a linear path.
I have been thinking about the progress I have made in my personal growth specifically regarding the blog writing journey. At the start of this year, 2023, my goal was to write 24 blogs by 31st December 2023 (writing two blogs per month, one blog every two weeks) as part of the Leadership Course I had embarked on. I went ahead and drafted a weekly schedule/routine which I split into a daily schedule. In this schedule, I incorporated one hour every Tuesday between (08:00 – 09:00 am) for blog content writing. And I was certain that my goal would be achieved as planned without fail.
What I didn’t realize was that this was a new growth experience for me to explore so I would have to struggle here and there along the way. While I look back at my journey towards blog writing, I notice that it hasn’t been a straight path. There have been ups and downs in my writing journey. Let’s look at my results considering this blog inclusive.
|
Month |
Blog Count |
|
January |
2 |
|
February |
1 |
|
March |
0 |
|
April |
2 |
|
May |
1 |
|
June |
0 |
|
July |
3 |
|
August |
0 |
|
September |
8 |
|
October |
2 |
|
November |
1 |
Results Analysis
From the analysis above you can see that my progress has not been linear. Right now, I am writing my 20th blog which should have been done in October. In addition, whereas I am not far from my target, I did not write following the plan I had initially made. There were months when I couldn’t push myself to write even a single blog yet in a certain month (my birth month) I pushed myself and wrote 8 blogs. The variation between what I had set and what actually happened is what led me to appreciate the true nature of progress.
We may plan and set certain targets, which is a good thing. But progress is not a linear path. Progressing in life encompasses various experiences. Progress involves ups and downs, stagnation, overcoming obstacles, facing failures, and finding the courage to pick ourselves up again. Some days, we will find ourselves taking little steps, barely making progress. Other days we will experience leaps forward and then there are those days when setbacks will temporarily halt our journey. The truth about life is that there will be rare, extraordinary days when we hit a jackpot – when everything aligns perfectly.
What do we learn from my experience of progress
-
Some days we win, and other days we lose – that is life
Life is a path filled with both victories and setbacks. There are days on our path where we will achieve success, while on other days we navigate shadows of defeat. I have always bit myself down for failing at something and in most cases whenever I have failed to meet my targets my energy levels have always gone down. However, I have come to a realization that not every day will yield massive breakthroughs and that is okay.
In my narrative, you can see that I have experienced both successful months like July when I wrote 3 blogs, and in September when I wrote 8 blogs. However, I also experienced stagnant months like March, June, and August when I didn’t write any blog. This demonstrates that progress is not always linear and that there will be days when we are more productive than others.
-
Openness to learning is important to get forward.
Being open to learning is essential for making progress in any area of life. Initially, I did not realize that blogging would be a new growth experience for me, but I was open to learning and struggling along the way. In my narrative, I express my willingness to learn from my experiences where I indicate my successes and failures in my writing, and I am to use these insights to improve my future writing and approach to blogging.
-
Wins, small or big deserve to be celebrated
Victories are to be celebrated – not only for the outcome but also for the effort and determination that led to success. Just as a baby’s first step is met with cheers, we ought to celebrate every achievement on our path to self-improvement. Our small accomplishments will help us build momentum and encourage us to keep going. Therefore, whether it is on a day of little or no progress, let’s celebrate because we need the motivation to keep going forward. Allow me to celebrate a bit because really, I have come from far, way from January.
What a blessing it is to have written 8 blogs in my birth month though it wasn’t part of my original plan. I acknowledge my dedication even in months where I wrote zero blogs. I celebrate that, despite the deviation from my original plan, I have written my 20th blog, which is a significant milestone. Now I have renewed motivation to finish the remaining 4 blogs.
-
We have to be kind to ourselves even when progress is slower than expected
There will be times when progress is slower than expected. Progressing in life is a process. It doesn’t happen in one day but instead takes time. Therefore, every step forward, no matter how small, is worth acknowledging. We should be kind to our inner souls and do not beat ourselves up for not meeting our goals. This self-compassion is essential for maintaining a healthy perspective, positive mindset and preventing burnout. I acknowledge that I have been hard on myself for not meeting my original goal of writing two blogs per month. However, I choose to remind myself that progress is not always linear and that I should be proud of what I have accomplished so far.
-
Behind setbacks lie growth
Setbacks on the surface are really disappointing, however, they are not necessarily failures but lessons. Setbacks illuminate the areas where growth is needed and invite us to refine our strategies. My setbacks, such as not writing any blogs in March, June, and August have helped me to learn and grow. I have learned that I need to be more flexible and that I should not be afraid to ask for help when I need it.
It works when you ask for help. I remember asking for help in May when I was on the verge of giving up. My work colleague, Daniel, helped me come up with the content for the May blog. As I write this blog my intention is to reflect on what has gone wrong in my blog writing journey and use the lessons to improve my future efforts. Progress requires a constant desire to learn and evolve thus we need to cultivate a growth mindset, where we embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth.
-
Progress requires patience
Growth or progress often takes time. And while we may not progress according to our initial plan it doesn’t mean that we aren’t moving forward. Thus, cultivating patience is very important in navigating the non-linear nature of personal growth and helps us to stay committed to our goals.
On this growth path, I have learned that progress takes time and that I need to be patient with myself. This blog is a reminder that I am still on track to achieve my goal of writing 24 blogs by the end of the year despite the fact that I have 20 blogs by now. My setbacks are also a reminder that I cannot become a successful blogger overnight. Therefore, because progress takes time we do not usually get discouraged when we do not see immediate results. Instead, we can focus on the long-term goal and continue to put in the effort.
-
Self-reflection is essential for understanding our progress
In the pursuit of progress, self-reflection is essential for understanding our progress, identifying areas for improvement, adjusting, and refining our goals, strategies, and approaches. Instead of striving for perfection or immediate success, progress can be achieved by learning and adapting along the way. As I write this blog, I reflect on my blog writing journey, by analyzing the results and the deviations from my initial plan. This self-reflection has provided me with insights into areas where I can improve and make some adjustments to my writing approach.
-
It is okay to have setbacks and periods of stagnation
Setbacks and periods of stagnation are a normal part of life and thus we should let any setbacks define us or derail our progress. Instead, we should view them as temporary bumps on the road to fulfilling our goals. These experiences provide valuable insights and learning that shape future progress.
I acknowledge that I have encountered several setbacks where I did not write a single blog. However, I haven’t given up on my goal. I keep reminding myself that setbacks are a normal part of life. It is well with my soul to know that there have been times when I didn’t feel like writing or when I didn’t make any progress. It is normal and I do not say this as an excuse for getting discouraged, but I acknowledge that my days of stagnation were days for gaining insights, learning, and growing.
-
We can embrace progress rather than perfection
Perfection is an unattainable goal that can hinder progress and stifle personal growth thus striving for it can be quite paralyzing. Progress, on the other hand, is about continuous improvement and embracing our unique strengths and weaknesses. Focusing on progress, even if it’s not perfect, is a healthier perspective than striving for unattainable perfection that allows for meaningful growth and fulfillment.
I am naturally a perfectionist, but I have learned to appreciate progress, even if it deviates from the perfect plan. In my narrative, we can see that I did not strictly adhere to my initial plan, but my overall progress of having 20 blogs now is significant. Embracing progress over perfection has given me a more realistic and positive outlook on my growth journey. I am focused not on being perfect. But I am more interested in making progress in my writing over time even if it is imperfect.
-
Failure is a natural part of the learning process
Failure is a natural part of the learning process. Therefore, instead of dwelling on our failures, we can use them as steppingstones to propel us forward. From my narrative, months with zero or fewer blogs can be seen as “failures” to meet my original plan, but instead of seeing them negatively, I chose to see them as opportunities to learn, adjust, and look for ways to improve and become better.
-
Progress requires a resilient mindset
When faced with challenges or setbacks, it is important to stay committed and determined. Resilience allows us to persevere and overcome obstacles, leading to progress in the long run. We need to be resilient if we want to achieve long-term success. From my narrative, it is evident that I have demonstrated resilience. I have faced challenges and setbacks tempting me to give up, but I did not. Instead, I picked up myself and continued to pursue my writing goal and I am determined to accomplish this goal no matter how long it takes.
-
We need to practice self-acceptance and self-care rather than self-judgement
Progress is not just about achieving external goals; it necessitates self-acceptance and self-care. Taking care of ourselves mentally and physically is essential for maintaining focus, and overall well-being. By prioritizing self-care, we can navigate through the complexities of progress with grace and resilience. Instead of harshly judging myself for not adhering strictly to the initial plan, I have learned to be more accepting of myself and my progress. I accept the reality of the situation, embrace self-acceptance, acknowledge the effort put into reaching my 20th blog, and recognize the importance of self-care such as sleeping, exercising, healthy eating, and having a healthier mindset throughout my growth journey.
Conclusion
Progress is not a straight line. It’s a complex journey filled with moments of wins, ups and downs, setbacks, and periods of stagnation. The fluctuations in my blog count throughout the months underscore the unpredictable nature of progress. Life, much like my blog writing journey, is filled with both peaks and valleys. As I reflect on my personal growth throughout this year, I’ve come to understand that progress is not always about adhering strictly to initial plans. Life is filled with unpredictability, and the non-linear nature of progress teaches us that setbacks are not failures but steppingstones toward growth. Recognizing that some days will yield significant progress while others may bring stagnation or even setbacks is crucial. It’s a realization that will reshape our perspective on success and failure – acknowledging that both are integral parts of the complex nature of progress.
From my narrative, several key lessons emerge that we can all learn from and use as ingredients in our well-being and future growth. Some days the steps we take may seem insignificant. But we must appreciate that the small actions we take act as building blocks of transformation. Think about a building. Do you acknowledge how a single brick contributes to the construction of the big structure? This is an indication that every effort we make, no matter how small, contributes to our personal growth. Don’t give up just because you are convinced that you aren’t making any progress. Progress, small as it may seem is still progress. If you stay the course, you will reap the benefits of your persistence and, hence end up happy and fulfilled.
Reflection
Have you experienced moments where you set a goal and expected progress to be linear, only to face ups and downs? How did you navigate those challenges? In what areas of your life have you faced setbacks or periods of stagnation? What steps did you take to handle those situations, and what did you learn from them? All the best as you embrace the complexities of progress and strive for meaningful advancements in your life, both personally and professionally. Always remember that progress is not a destination but a continuous process of growth and improvement.
**********Thank you for sparing your time to read*********
