What is progress? This is a question I have considered quite often since I became a member at ProgressiveU and a question I have never given much thought to in the past.
The first step in understanding progress is to thoroughly comprehend the literal meaning of progress. The principle definition of progress is to move forward to a goal or to advance. A second definition of progress is to demonstrate a steady rate of improvement. With this in mind, since every person is different, being progressive for each individual may mean something completely different when talking about progress on a personal level.
Most people create goals that they wish to accomplish for themselves in order to feel an internal sense of accomplishment. For some, it may be working toward a career goal and others strive to reach familial goals. Whether the focus is work or if it is raising a family, both are important aspects of personal progress. Each time a small personal goal is reached, the individual is actively working toward being progressive.
On a global level, progress can mean something completely different. The goals to be reached are no longer personal, but exist to work toward the greater common good for all people. While almost all humans work to achieve their own personal objectives, fewer are willing to participate in progressive behaviors to improve humankind on a whole. But what is it that needs to be accomplished to be making adequate “global” progress?
Woodrow Wilson once said, “All progress depends on how fast you are going, and where you are going, and I fear there has been too much of this thing of knowing neither how fast we were going or where we were going.” Uncertainty of the future makes it difficult to feel the progress being made each day, both on a personal and a global level. Everyday has the ability to be progressive. Even something as small as picking up some litter off the street can lead to a cleaner earth for future generations. It may not seem like a very “progressive” thing to do at the time, but it can set an example for others to do the same. By trying to go through the day thinking about others as opposed to working for entirely selfish motives can also be a giant step towards progress. Opening a door for someone instead of pushing them out of the way to get in first can help lower hostility in communities. It’s amazing the little things that can really boost someone’s mood and completely change their day around. These small steps for progress, believe it or not, can make a huge impact on a social level.
I am not sure how others are, but for me, I know I always feel so much better about myself when I do something for someone else. It doesn’t matter whether it’s giving a few pennies to the person in front of me at the cashier or volunteering hours of my time for a local charity…. both of these things not only assist me in making personal progress but also global progress.
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