The Double-Edged Sword of Growth

Managing the extremes of experience to become a bit better each day.

Photo by Krys Amon on Unsplash

In a Finance 101 class, my professor taught me that the "existence of debt is a double-edged sword". In other words, borrowing money can magnify your returns and your losses. Debt creates leverage and amplifies the magnitude of potential outcomes.

In many ways, the pursuit of personal growth, or as I like to say "becoming a bit better each day", acts the same way. Committing to becoming the best version of yourself exaggerates both ends of the spectrum. Highs become higher and lows become lower. The highs are filled with an unbelievable sense of pride and gratitude while the lows are defined by intense self-doubt.

Either extreme can overwhelm us, but using them to balance one another unlocks a mindset that propels us forward.

Let growth turn into pride, not arrogance

Consistent efforts aimed toward a worthwhile pursuit will always yield growth. We may not notice it at first, but after a few weeks or months, it becomes apparent that we’re not who we used to be.

I’m often overwhelmed with emotion when I compare who I used to be with who I am now. Not too long ago I was obsessed with weekend plans and how I could drink more than everyone else. 3 years later, I’ve doubled my income, created a newsletter with hundreds of subscribers, and learned to care less about what others think of me.

When I think about this shift, a wave of pride rushes over me. I can’t stop smiling and I’m consumed with gratitude for the growth that I’ve experienced.