Growth is not a linear thing

As children we grow up believing that growth is a linear thing. After all we can measure our changing heights quite easily and this represents our image of how growth looks like. However, later in life, this starts to change. Sometimes changes seem to bring us back in time, instead of forward, and sometimes we even get completely lost. Not knowing where we are at all.

This might be disturbing, uncomfortable, frightening even, but in reality this is just part of growth. It’s not always a straightforward linear process… This is particularly true when we are frustrated and feeling stuck. The more we push, the less seems to happen. But if we stop for a moment and reflect, instead of repeating the same movement over and over, we might discover that the direction of our actions is wrong. We just need to go into another one. It can be that simple. Pull instead of push…

Like for example when you’re frustrated in your attempts to find clients for your business. You feel you’ve done everything to find them, to talk to them, to convince them etc. and they still don’t want to buy from you. What can be wrong? It can be as simple as changing directions. How about helping them to find you, talk to you, convince you that they are the right people to buy from you. Do you see the difference in direction of the movement and the effect of it? It’s much better, right?

So next time you feel stuck and frustrated with not moving fast enough ahead, try stepping back and going into the opposite direction. Trust the craziness of it and see what happens. It might work out and creat exactly what you were hoping for and even more.

Ah, and another tip: recognize the spot you’re standing at. It’s so easy to forget what you have accomplished so far and where you are at right now. Take a break and acknowledge it. You’ll feel more strong. With this grounded feeling of being in touch with what you do have, it’s much easier to continue building. Give it a try!

How do you envision growth?

Kind regards,

Anna Molnár