A Work in Progress

When I was a child, I thought people over 40 years of age were very old. I believed they were done growing up and knew everything one needs to know. Wrong.

Now over 50 years old, I often say, "I'm a work in progress." 

Seeing yourself as a "work in progress" fosters Healthy Survivorship by reframing problems and challenges in life-enhancing and adaptive ways. Such reframing:

• Softens the blow to your self-confidence of making mistakes. ("It's okay. I'm a work in progress!")
• Calms the frustration and confusion associated with learning new things.
• Decreases stress and disappointment associated with aiming for perfection.
• Encourages openmindedness when presented with new information and ideas.
• Nourishes hope for improvement and future happiness.
• Motivates continued growth in all spheres of life.

"I'm a work in progress" is a useful mantra when you are:

• Fixing a problem you caused and searching for a better way to do whatever led to the trouble.
• Learning how to solve a new problem or use a new technology. 
• Trying to let go of old habits that are no longer -- or never were -- adaptive.
• Letting go of misconceptions.
• Testing beliefs in the setting of new situations or challenges. 

As a Healthy Survivor, use the mantra "I'm a work in progress" when doing so helps you obtain sound knowledge, find and nourish hope and take effective action. 

Comments

[Richard]

As a family caregiver for my elderly mother, I look forward to the compassionate wisdom put forth in your posts.

Thank you for continuing to offer your healing touch to all of us who feel like walking wounded in the daily war of life.

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

The effect of my blog is mostly invisible to me. Your comment gave me a tremendous lift today. Thank you.

And please let me know if you have a situation or topic you'd like to see discussed on this blog.

With gratitude and hope, Wendy

[Andrea Gauthier]

I want to echo Richard's comments. Your blog helps to keep me on track. I very much appreciate the work you do to bring things to our attention. I often leave your blog open, to respond to later but then don't get to it but I'm definitely reading it every day. You help me to learn and to keep an open mind. A work in progress...Thanks, Richard for your final paragraph. Good to know others feel that way.

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Dear Andrea,

Every few months I ask myself (or a close friend, my husband or one of my children) a serious question: "Am I spending too much time on my blog? Time that could be better used on writing articles or books for publication?"

I'm not looking for kudos or awards. But your comment, along with Richard's, helps me put that question to rest. At least for a few more months.

With hope, Wendy