Dr. Stan J. Tharp, MBA

In this blog I’m working through sharing 10 wakeup thoughts I’ve begun telling myself most days (gotta be honest, some days just start rough and I don’t feel like it, or hectic and I forget) for most of this year. WOW do they help set a positive and productive tone for my day. So far we have covered the following (Please do yourself a favor and start tomorrow, saying them OUT LOUD to start your day):

1. Today is going to be a great day!
2. Whatever happens today, God and I can handle it.
3. I’m going to choose my attitude.
4. Today launches a new season of my life. It is going to be beautiful, I need to be aware, present and respond.

Each statement has been elaborated on in earlier blog posts, so if you’re new to this list, please check out the psychological, physiological and theological soundness of these thoughts.

NUMBER 5: I need to allow myself to be a work in progress. This was actually the subject of my post on February 27, 2026 titled : “IT’S OK TO BE UNFINISHED.” (I just re-read it, if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth the 2 minutes of your time to catch up.)

This thought isn’t anything new, and we already KNOW It deep inside…none of us is perfect (far from it) and we are still becoming, so STOP feeling insecure of yourself, or down on yourself and ACCEPT the fact that you are still in process. You are still becoming a fuller version of who you were created to be.

Wow, when I realize the truth of the ancient words… “He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it…” (The encouraging words from the apostle Paul)…I can loosen my grip on having to be perfect, or simply having to be better that I actually am.

I’ve lived well over half a century, and I can clearly say LIFE IS A PROCESS. Take things a day at a time, celebrate small wins and simple blessings. Believe in the potential you were created with, and lean forward into who you are becoming. BUT don’t expect progress to be non-stop, or to come as fast as you like. Go re-read the February blog, and stop “should-ing” on yourself (I should be better than this by now, I should know how to do such and such, I should be more together, I should…you get the picture.)

Now….go to the top of this page, read all 5 statements OUT LOUD, smile…and maybe reflect for just a few moments on the progress you are making in who you are. Look for baby steps, and let those prompt you to be encouraged, and keep moving forward! Allow yourself to be an unfinished, work in process…and an amazing work at that!