I’m Not Stuck—I'm in P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S.

Let me tell you something real: progress doesn’t always look like fireworks and confetti. Sometimes it looks like brushing your teeth even though you cried yourself to sleep. Sometimes it’s replying to that email without cussing somebody out in ALL CAPS. Sometimes… it’s just showing up.

I’ve learned that progress isn’t a straight line—it's a dance. Two steps forward, one back, a little dip, a sassy spin, and boom—you’re still moving. So let me walk you through what I call P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. Because yes, it's an acronym. And no, you can’t skip letters just because life got hard this week.

P – Plan Your Steps

Look. I love a good checklist and a color-coded calendar. Planning gives me peace. No shade, but some of y’all out here talking about “I’m just going with the flow” when the truth is… you’re just avoiding accountability.

You can’t keep saying the universe will provide if you haven’t even mapped out what you’re asking for. Listen, “winging it” is not a long-term strategy. Even if you only plan three days ahead, that’s better than waking up every morning in chaos. Treat your goals like they’re real and time-sensitive—because they are. Stop freelancing your life.

And while we’re here—remember Proverbs 16:9 says we make the plans, but God directs the steps. So yes, plan—but stay open to divine detours. Sometimes the reroute is the real blessing.

R – Recognize Your Strengths

Sis. Bruh. You’ve been through it and still show up. That’s a strength. Stop measuring your worth against someone else’s highlight reel. Just because they’re loud about their wins doesn’t mean they’re winning more than you.

There are people looking at your resilience, your work ethic, your hustle, your parenting, your focus—and thinking, “How do they do it?” And you’re sitting there questioning your value because you haven’t won some imaginary race. Stop that. Recognizing your strengths gives you power over the narratives trying to talk you out of your greatness. You’re already it. Own it.

And yes, God put that in you on purpose. You’re not an accident. You’re not "just good at stuff." You’re gifted. Called. Designed with intent. Ephesians 2:10 says you're His handiwork. Walk like it.

O – Overcome Your Fears

Fear shows up dressed like logic and sounding like your mother’s voice. It tells you you’re too old, too late, too tired, too busy, too whatever. And guess what? Fear is lazy. It’ll use whatever you give it.

But fear is not the boss of you. It’s just loud. And repetitive. And kind of annoying. Think about it—how many times have you been scared of something, and then you did it anyway, and it didn’t kill you? Fear is a terrible compass. It only points backwards. You want a better direction? Start moving. You’ll scare fear instead.

And let me remind you—God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). Fear talks a big game, but faith walks it. So walk it out—even if you’re trembling.

G – Grow Through Every Experience

Growth doesn’t wait for your calendar to be free. It shows up uninvited, like a pop quiz in a class you forgot you signed up for. That breakup? That job loss? That “you up?” text you regret answering? Growth.

You ever notice how the biggest shifts come after the biggest messes? That’s not an accident. Sometimes life shakes the table to show you it was never steady to begin with. Growth will drag you, heal you, stretch you, and then hand you back to yourself—wiser, softer, stronger. And nobody claps for that. But it matters. You matter.

And in case you forgot—Romans 8:28 still stands. All things work together. Even the ugly ones. Especially the ones you don’t talk about. God doesn’t need perfection to grow you. He just needs a yes.

R – Reflect On Your Journey

Take a beat. Seriously. Sit your ambitious, stressed-out, always-doing self down and reflect. Not everything needs to be fixed. Some things just need to be remembered. Like how many times you thought it was over—but it wasn’t.

You may not be where you want to be, but you’re definitely not where you were. That counts. Look back with grace, not guilt. You survived some stuff people would’ve crumbled under. That alone makes you qualified to keep going. You’ve earned your wisdom. You’ve earned your scars. Don’t forget your own receipts.

Reflection is a holy habit. David said, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works” (Psalm 143:5). Reflection will keep you grounded when hustle culture has you chasing every shiny thing.

E – Energize With Positivity

Look, the group chat might be dry, the fridge might be empty, and your email inbox might be a war zone—but your attitude? That’s your call. You can’t control the chaos, but you can control how long you let it live in your head.

Get around people who make you laugh for real. Not perform, not compete—just laugh. Find music that hits the soul, food that comforts, and people who pour into you without an invoice. Positivity isn’t about pretending. It’s about protecting your mind so your life doesn’t spiral behind it.

Even Jesus took naps. Even He stepped away from the crowd. So it’s okay to unplug and protect your light. You’re allowed to preserve your joy. You don’t owe burnout to anyone—not even your calling.

S – Stay Persistent

Let’s be honest: we all want to quit sometimes. Not because we’re weak, but because we’re exhausted. That’s normal. But giving up won’t make it easier. It just guarantees you won’t see what could’ve been.

Persistence isn’t about big leaps. It’s about little steps. Unsexy, un-Instagrammed, unnoticed steps. It’s choosing not to let the “meh” moments rob you of the masterpiece that’s forming. If nobody claps, clap for your damn self. If nobody checks on you, check in with your own goals. You don’t have to be loud to be effective. Just be consistent.

Galatians 6:9 says don’t grow weary in well-doing. That verse isn’t cute—it’s survival. Your harvest is tied to your consistency. Show up again. Even if you have to do it tired.

S – Shine As You Achieve

I don’t care what they say—shrinking helps no one. When you win, own it. That doesn’t make you cocky. That makes you aware. There’s nothing wrong with telling your story just because others are still writing theirs.

People will say, “You changed.” Good. That’s what growth does. It changes people. Your shine is not a problem—it’s proof. So wear the outfit. Post the milestone. Start the business. Move to the next level. Shine, not to flex, but to remind yourself that you didn’t come this far just to act invisible when it finally starts working.

And baby, you’re the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Stop treating your glow like it’s a liability. Somebody needs your shine to find their next step. Don’t go dim just because they’re uncomfortable.

Final Thoughts

Progress is awkward, slow, personal, messy, and necessary. It doesn’t always feel good, but it always gets you closer to the version of yourself you were meant to be. You’re not stuck. You’re becoming.

You’re not behind—you’re in process. You're in P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S.

Keep going. Don’t apologize for it. Don’t explain it to folks who don’t get it. Just keep moving.

And if you need someone to remind you again next week… bookmark this. I got you. And God’s got both of us.