Evidence of Change: Growth is a Spiral
Looking back on 2023 and ahead to 2024, you may be looking for evidence of change. Let's find it.
The first time I experienced an out-and-back trek, I was a child cross-country skiing with my dad. When we approached the turn-around point that I thought was the end point, I burst into tears.
Dad said the worst thing I'd ever heard: “Don’t cry; your tears will freeze.” *Frozen-water-works* It was a long time until the hot chocolate at the lodge I had done this whole, horrible, cold thing for.
I wish dad had said then what I know now: walking back is different from walking there. It's a new perspective.
On your connected leadership path, you'll hit the same tough spots. Let new perspective be the evidence you need to keep growing.
Growth is a spiral, not a line.
You start walking a tight circle, repeating unconscious beliefs and behaviors. It would drive you mad if you could see. By the grace of smallness, you can’t.
With each consecutive circle, you reach the same points. It's as if you haven’t walked anywhere. You respond with the same beliefs and behaviors. Madness sets in.
And, with each consecutive circle, you have more space between points. You're walking further from the center. Not in any line towards any predetermined destination (life's too wonderful for any lines towards any predetermined destinations). Rather, you're expanding outward in all directions.
You see more. You look ahead and see what you’re walking into again. You look in and see how many times you’ve walked into it before.
You pause to examine your very first circle—the all-encompassingness of it. No wonder you couldn’t question your whole, entire world.
Then, one day, you reach the same spot. Now, it’s small, and you’re huge. All types of responses are available to you. You choose differently than ever before.
In this moment, you notice you’ve grown. You keep walking. Your world keeps expanding. So do you.
Community emboldens. One study found that two close friends approaching the same mountain assessed it as more doable than those approaching it alone. Join community for your connected leadership growth. NLL Success Circles 2024 is now accepting applications. Learn more and apply by March 1st for early bird rate: www.the-next-level.com/SC2024
And, now through Jan. 31st we’re offering a new year coaching special! Get 10% off any package with no expiration date. Email TNL@the-next-level.com to snag the deal.
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