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Embrace Your Work-in-Progress Self

The Power of Being Unfinished

We live in a world that loves a polished success story 🌟. The image of a finished product, a dream realized, or a goal achieved is the ideal we often chase. 

But what if the real magic lies in the “in-between” stages—the times when we’re still figuring things out, still growing, still becoming?

In this post, I invite you to embrace the beauty of being unfinished 🌱.

The Beauty of the In-Between

Let’s talk about what it means to be a work in progress 🛠️. 

Whether it’s your career, your relationships, or even your own personal development, there’s always a temptation to wish for the end result—the polished, final version of what you’re working toward. 

But life isn’t a series of finished products. It’s a process of continuous evolution, where the moments of uncertainty and imperfection are just as significant as the triumphs 🎨.

Imagine a painter standing in front of a half-completed canvas 🎨. It may not yet be a masterpiece, but that canvas is full of potential. The artist doesn’t rush to fill in the blank spaces, but instead, sees them as opportunities to explore new ideas, try new techniques, and learn through the process.

Why do we struggle to appreciate this stage in our own lives? 

We’ve been conditioned to believe that only the final product matters 🏆. But in reality, the unfinished parts of ourselves—our careers, our dreams, even our inner selves—are the fertile ground for creativity, authenticity, and growth 🌻.

From Perfectionism to Progress

The pressure to be perfect is an unrelenting one, especially for women 💪. Society tells us that perfection is the goal: flawless career, flawless appearance, flawless relationships. But striving for perfection can rob us of the joy found in the journey 🌸.

Being “unfinished” isn’t a flaw. It’s where potential and growth live 🌿. When you give yourself permission to be a work in progress, you open up space for possibilities you never considered. The path to success doesn’t have to be linear, and the bumps and detours along the way often lead to richer, more rewarding outcomes 🛤️.A0829BBeing “unfinished” isn’t a flaw. It’s where potential and growth live 🌿. When you give yourself permission to be a work in progress, you open up space for possibilities you never considered. The path to success doesn’t have to be linear, and the bumps and detours along the way often lead to richer, more rewarding outcomes 🛤️.

This mindset shift—from perfectionism to progress—liberates us from the need to have everything figured out. Instead, we can appreciate the fact that life is a constant evolution 🌀.

Mentor Musings: How to Help Clients Embrace Their Unfinished Selves

As a coach, it’s important to help clients understand that the “in progress” stage is where the real work happens ⚙️. Many come to coaching wanting immediate solutions, but transformation is about embracing the process—not just the results 🛤️.

Here’s how you can guide clients through the SWITCH framework to embrace their work-in-progress selves:

  1. Set Aside the Outcome
    Encourage clients to set aside their fixation on the final result and focus on the present moment 🌿. Ask them, “What does this stage have to teach you?” This step helps them release attachment to perfection and open up to the lessons available in the here and now.
  2. What Is The Objective?
    Clarify the objective 🎯. Ask your client, “What do you want to gain from embracing the fact that you’re a work in progress?” This sets the intention for the session, ensuring that they have a clear goal for how embracing their unfinished self will lead to growth.
  3. Impact of Growth
    Reflect on the impact of incremental growth 📊. Highlight the progress they’ve already made, acknowledging the value in the journey. This helps shift the focus from just the end goal to the significance of their ongoing development.
  4. Transform Limiting Beliefs
    Use this opportunity to transform limiting beliefs 🧠. Ask, “What would be possible if you allowed yourself to be unfinished?” Shifting this perspective helps clients release the fear of imperfection and opens up space for creativity and new possibilities 🚀.
  5. Clarify Their Journey
    Work with the client to clarify where they are on their journey đź“Ť. What have they already achieved? What challenges have they overcome? This reinforces that their current state has value and that progress is being made, even if it feels incomplete.
  6. Harmonise and Embody Progress
    Finally, help clients harmonize their mindset with the reality that growth is never truly “complete” 🌀. Encourage them to embody the idea that being unfinished is a natural and valuable part of life. What small actions can they take daily to live in alignment with this new perspective?

Embracing your unfinished self is an act of courage and self-compassion. It means recognizing that the journey is just as important as the destination. As you move through your week, remember that each step—no matter how small—is contributing to the masterpiece of your life.

Remember, being a work in progress means you’re constantly evolving. Keep showing up for the journey—you never know what beautiful things will emerge from those unfinished places.

Why It Matters

Coachable People Grow Faster

People who are coachable don’t waste time defending their status quo. They lean into feedback. They turn setbacks into stepping stones. They ask, “What can I learn from this?” rather than, “Why is this happening to me?” This mindset fuels exponential growth—personally and professionally.

Coachability Builds Resilience

When you’re coachable, failure doesn’t define you—it instructs you. You stop fearing mistakes and start using them. In my coaching work, I often see that the most resilient leaders aren’t the ones who never fall. They’re the ones who fall, learn, and rise again—smarter and stronger than before.

Coachable Leaders Attract Trust

People follow those who are willing to grow. Coachable leaders are more transparent, adaptable, and self-aware. They don’t pretend to have all the answers. Instead, they create environments where learning is safe and encouraged. That fosters trust, collaboration, and high performance.

The Inner Work of Coachability

Coachability isn’t just about actions—it’s about mindset. The foundation of a coachable mindset includes:

  • Self-awareness: You can’t grow what you won’t acknowledge. Coachable people are committed to seeing themselves clearly. They reflect regularly, ask tough questions, and welcome different perspectives.

  • Emotional agility: Feedback can stir up emotions—defensiveness, embarrassment, even shame. Coachable people feel those emotions but don’t let them rule. They pause, process, and then engage with intention.

  • Ownership: Blame blocks growth. Coachable individuals take radical responsibility for their lives. Even when external factors play a role, they ask, “What part can I own?”

  • Curiosity: Coachability thrives in curiosity. Instead of clinging to “I already know,” coachable people live in “What else might be true?” This openness creates space for insight and innovation.

Coachability in Action

So what does being coachable actually look like in a coaching relationship?

It looks like showing up on time—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

It looks like coming prepared, having reflected on prior conversations, progress, and roadblocks.

It looks like being honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable.

It looks like taking aligned action between sessions—not just consuming insight but applying it.

It looks like being willing to slow down, examine patterns, and challenge limiting beliefs.

It looks like staying present when challenged—and being just as present when celebrated.

It’s not always easy. But it’s always worth it.

How to Cultivate Coachability

Even if coachability doesn’t come naturally, it can be developed. Here are a few practical ways to start:

1. Assume There’s Always Something to Learn

Even if you’ve been in your role for 10 years or feel like you’ve “heard it all before,” stay open. Ask, “What’s here for me to learn today?”

2. Separate Feedback From Identity

Feedback is information, not a verdict on your worth. When you detach your ego from critique, you gain access to truth.

3. Create Reflection Rituals

Whether it’s journaling, meditation, or post-session debriefs, build space into your routine for processing. Insight without reflection rarely becomes transformation.

4. Ask Better Questions

Instead of saying, “Did I do that right?” try, “What am I not seeing?” or “What would it look like to challenge this assumption?”

5. Take Action, Not Just Notes

Coachable people don’t just collect insights—they implement them. Pick one thing from each coaching session to put into practice, and follow through.

The Coachable Client = The Empowered Client

 

In my coaching practice, I don’t promise answers—I promise a partnership.

But that partnership only works when you’re engaged and willing.

The most powerful coaching relationships are co-created. I’ll bring the questions, reflections, and challenges—but you bring the commitment.

Ultimately, coaching is not about changing who you are. It’s about unblocking the parts of you that already know how to lead, love, and live more fully. That unblocking?

It begins with being coachable.

So whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, creative, or simply a human committed to growth, ask yourself:

  • Am I willing to learn?
  • Am I willing to be seen?
  • Am I willing to be challenged?
  • And—most importantly—am I willing to change?

Because if you are, everything becomes possible.

mentor coaching

Lorraine Hamilton is an ICF-accredited Coach, registered Coach Mentor, creator of the SWITCH Coaching System®. She has almost 20 years of experience in Professional Coaching.

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