A masterpiece and a work in progress
I attended a workshop last week, where at least three different presenters all mentioned the same thing.
It was in varied contexts. One used it to open up a talk. Another used it as a reminder to herself to be forgiving of areas where she (a very successful professional) still needed to grow. The third shared it as a reminder to the group.
Each time it was mentioned, it caught my attention. So powerful and so simple at the same time.
Ready for it?
“I am both a masterpiece and a work in progress.”
Sit with that for a moment.
No, really. I’ll wait.
“I am both a masterpiece and a work in progress.”
Both. And.
Two ends of the spectrum, at the same time.
Have you ever noticed that YOU are both a masterpiece and a work in progress?
So often, we’re afraid to be both.
Sometimes, we’re so acutely aware of where we need to grow, where we fall short, that we fail to see ourselves as the magnificent masterpieces that we are.
Other times, we’re leaning hard into showing up as a masterpiece - successful, high achieving, competent - so much that we fail to embrace our own continued development.
It can be hard to see ourselves as both.
A masterpiece, owning our magnificence. Leaning into our strengths, standing tall in our own self-assuredness, and proud of who we are. Full of love for ourselves.
A work in progress. Learning and growing, open to seeing the gaps between how we show up and who we want to be, and comfortable in not knowing what we don’t yet know. Full of grace for where we fall short.
BOTH AND.
Simultaneously a masterpiece and a work in progress.
Would you like to lean more into this beautiful paradox?
Where are you a masterpiece?
Start by considering where you’re already a masterpiece. Where are you magnificent? Glorious? Confident in who you are and how you’re showing up. Strong in a sense of “enoughness”. Where do you feel this the most? What gives you this sense of confidence?Where are you a work in progress?
Next, think about where you’re a work in progress. What have you been learning? Where have you given grace for yourself when you’ve fallen short? Where are you finding ways to be better than the day before, open to what you don’t know or a new perspective?Where do you want to lean in?
Finally, consider where you want to lean more deeply into being a masterpiece or being a work in progress. Perhaps the scale tips far in one direction more than the other, overall or in certain areas of your life. Where do you want to bring in a bit more of the opposing perspective, to bring some balance to your life?
“I am both a masterpiece and a work in progress.”
Such a powerful paradox.
Where are you a masterpiece?
Where are you a work in progress?
Where can you be a little more of both?
April 23, 2026
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
Book your free strategy session.
