The Growth Spectrum

#🪴evergreen

I’ve said for a while now that growth happens on a spectrum, and it’s connected to awareness. “Notice things” is where you start. First you have to become aware of a problem in your life. This usually comes by you or someone else identifying specific instances of the problem manifested in your past life. You choose what behavior or thought pattern you want to replace the old with.

As you continue growing, you begin to notice more specific instances that have occurred recently—since your initial moment of realization took place. But this is still a recognition of past “failures,” which you can’t change.

Eventually, you recognize something happened right after it took place. It’s a moment of: “Ugh, I did it again. I should have done X instead.”

Now you’re at a crucial tipping point: will you be able to take the next step of growth and “catch yourself in the act”? If you can catch yourself in the moment, you have a choice to guide your action. You can choose to establish your new habit or slide back into your old one.

Moving forward, your growth looks like increasing in consistency of choosing your new habit in the moment. Eventually, it’ll replace your old habit. Maybe you’ll even reach the coveted heights of not having to consciously choose anymore. It’ll now be second nature—your new nature.