THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT GROWTH: Why Stopping Makes You Stronger

Have you ever pushed harder toward a goal only to find yourself moving backward? Most leaders believe growth requires constant forward motion—but real growth often happens when you stop.

This contradicts everything our achievement-oriented culture teaches us, especially in America, where we've internalized the belief that growth requires moving 90 miles an hour in a specific direction. Yet everything in nature tells us otherwise.

Clarity Comes from Stopping

As a cyclist, I spent years believing that riding more and pushing harder would automatically make me faster and stronger. It took several years to realize that my greatest gains came during rest periods—when my body recovered and adapted to the training stress.

This pattern extends far beyond athletics. Our obsession with constant motion often prevents the growth we seek in business, relationships, and personal development. When we stop and reflect on where we are, where we've been, and where we want to go, we gain clarity and grounding, impossible to achieve in constant motion.

Growth consists of two essential parts: forward motion and intentional rest. Without both components working in harmony, sustainable progress becomes impossible.

Over the past three years, my team and I completely overhauled our business. We didn't make this change because external forces demanded it, but because we recognized that true growth required us to stop, rebuild our foundation, and create capacity for greater impact.

This process mirrors what athletes call "base miles"—those long, seemingly boring training sessions that build the foundation for more ambitious achievements. These foundational periods rarely feel exciting, but they create the capacity for everything that follows.

Rest as a Strategic Advantage

Taking time to rest doesn't mean disconnecting completely. Instead, it means creating mental space to evaluate where you are and what you've accomplished. This strategic pause allows you to:

1. Get grounded in your purpose and vision

2. Build a stronger foundation for future growth

3. Understand how much energy you'll need for the next phase

4. Show up fully for the people you serve

I've experienced periods in my career when I felt completely spent—unable to show up at 100% for the people I serve. This depletion signaled that I was moving too much without stopping. In those moments, I wasn't growing; I was shrinking.

When you're depleted, everyone around you receives less than your best. Your team, your organization, and your clients all feel the impact of your exhaustion.

The most powerful leaders understand that rest isn't just about personal recovery—it's about serving others better.

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TAKE Action 

1. Identify one area where pushing harder hasn't produced the results you want.

2. Schedule a strategic pause—even just a day—to reflect on your direction and progress.

3. Ask yourself: "Am I moving so fast that I'm missing opportunities to build a stronger foundation?"

4. In your calendar, create regular intervals for rest and reflection—and defend them as vigorously as you would any critical meeting.

Permit yourself to rest. Without it, everything else you're working toward loses its power and purpose. True growth requires motion and stillness—master both to reach your full potential.

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