When forward feels backwards

The counter-intuitive nature of growth

Growth is a default position of human nature. We are wired to grow, mature, expand our capabilities, and transform over time. This is true for both humans and organizations. Conversely, the avoidance of growth leads to stagnancy, and a loss of dynamism. Non-growth is life at its worst; dreary repetition and dull routine over extended periods of time.

And yet, experientially, dreary repetition and dull routine is what marks the lives of many in modern western civilization. A life of non-growth is not an active choice, however. Instead, it’s the natural consequence of choosing comfort as the orienting framework by which we design our lives.

There is thus a tension; we have a natural hunger to experience growth, and yet our default position is to choose security. Except real growth cannot be experienced without discomfort. Transformative growth and comfort are poor bedfellows. This tension explains why so many people and organizations experience a sense of feeling “stuck”.

We all feel the desire to change, grow, become more dynamic, and expand our horizons, yet we remain chained to what we know because our fear leads us to prefer what is safe, easy, and predictable. It’s this preference to stick with what we know that results in so many of our attempts at change leading to naught. True change does not come from bolt-on solutions, or quick fixes (no matter what advertising tells you). True change only comes from a fundamental re-orientation of perspective.

We are now at the crux of the issue; the reality that personal and institutional growth is an experience that is entirely counter-intuitive. The process of growing is marked by a repetition of choosing to let go of what made you successful up until now to make space for something different that will carry you through the next chapter. Continual growth is thus dependent on us choosing to repeatedly embrace the unknown, and letting that embrace propel us forward. A lack of growth is therefore the result of holding on too tightly to what we already know.

Going forward, you can expect this Substack to focus on examples of feeling stuck, and the counter-intuitive changes that were needed to move to the next stage. I hope that journeying alongside me through this exercise will provide much fruit in your life!