In the writing world people often talk about their “work-in-progress.” It's a vague title that can mean a lot of different things… a manuscript, a story, a chapbook of poems, a movie script… it can be anything! By lableing a task a “work-in-progress,” it gives the creator flexibility and freedom to work on it without really having to define specific parameters, goals or results. It gives you space while also clearly stating: I AM WORKING. I love this. I shouldn’t be surprised that a profession of wordsmiths were able to pick precisely the right descpriptive phrase.

For all it’s greatness, I think we under utilize the idea of “works-in-progress”. We are happy to apply it to the concept of projects on paper, but beyond that realm, we just want to be D-O-N-E, done. When we think about our careers, for example, we are hesitant to identify with the notion that we are not stepping into a position fully qualified and at the top of our game. When we realize that isn’t the casee (that we do have some room to grow and improve) we struggle with doubts and imposter syndrome. But I would argue that our careers (and maybe even our lives) are our biggest and most important works-in-progress.

I am currently amidst several works-in-progress. I’ve started the manuscript for Champion Chocolatier #4. I’m about 20,000 words into helping a client write a book about the space where business and life intersect. I’m waist deep in curating a series of read aloud and author interview videos. AND, I’m about to embark on the next phases of an exciting website redesign.

It is the website project in particular that got me thinking about the term “works-in-progress”, especially in realtion to careers. The website on which you are reading this blog is five years old. It is safe to say that I am a different writer than I was five years ago. I have come to realize that I have outgrown my current corner in the internet, or at the very least, my space could stand to be renovated and reorganized. This is exciting, but also a lot of work, a work-in-progress that I’ll be giving my full attention to in the week (possibly weeks) to come.

Because of the size of this website work-in-progress, I’m going to keep today’s post brief, but I am looking forward to unveilng this new version of me, of showcasing my current status of my career-in-progress. I (enthusiastically!) invite you to come back and check it all out. (To subscribe to this blog, if you don’t already, click here so you won’t miss out on any big announcements!)

For now, I’d love to hear from you. What is your current “work-in-progress,” either in writing or career or life? Tell me in the comments below and then get to work, because the first part of making progress, is, you guessed it, WORK.

Until next week my word nerds, happy working and writing!

Amanda