You’re Growing—Even When You Can’t See It

When my daughter turned one, she had gained 12.19 lbs and grown 13.83 inches taller.

Every day, I watched her transform—taking her first wobbly steps, babbling her first words, learning new things faster than I could keep up.

Her growth was constant. Her progress was visible.

And it was mesmerizing to witness.

Meanwhile, her older brothers grew about 2.2 inches that year—less dramatic, but still noticeable when we marked their height on the wall.

It reminded me of something universal:

As we grow older, growth becomes less obvious.

When you’re a child, growth is easy to see. It’s measured in pounds, inches, first words, and new skills.

But as adults? Growth isn’t so obvious.

No one marks your height on the wall anymore.

Your progress isn’t measured in report cards or milestones.

And without those visible markers, it’s easy to wonder:

Am I still growing, or am I just stuck?

This question hit me when I transitioned from a corporate career into coaching. In the corporate world, my growth was clear:

Promotions.

High-impact projects.

Positive feedback from leadership.

Growth felt structured and measurable.

But when I left that behind to pursue something more aligned with my values, I was staring at a blank slate.

No milestones. No promotions. No quarterly reviews to validate my progress.

Just me, my questions, and the uncertainty of whether I was truly moving forward.

One night, I sat at my desk, staring at a blank page for my newsletter. The cursor blinked like it was taunting me.

“Am I really helping anyone with this?” I wondered.

“What if no one reads it?”

“What if this whole thing doesn’t work?”

I felt untethered, like I’d lost the markers I used to measure my success. But then it hit me: this discomfort—the doubts, the questions, the lack of a map—it wasn’t a sign of failure.

It was proof that I was growing.

For years, I’d relied on external markers to measure my growth. Now, I was learning to trust something new: my ability to keep walking, even when I couldn’t see the path ahead.

That’s growth. Not the visible kind, but the kind that roots itself deeper within you.

Defining Growth on Your Terms

Growth looks different at every stage of life.

When I was managing my corporate career, growth meant taking on high-impact projects, building influence, and navigating challenges with resilience.

It was about contributing meaningfully to an organization’s success while advancing my own.

But as my priorities shifted, so did my definition of growth. Now, growth means planting roots for the life I want to build—focusing on purpose, connection, and impact.

One of my first coaching clients was a senior product leader who wanted to strengthen his executive presence. After just two sessions, he wrote to me:

“As someone who seeks personal growth, your coaching was worth its weight in gold.”

That message stayed with me. It wasn’t just validation of the work I was doing—it was a signal that I was creating something meaningful.

Helping others grow has become my new benchmark for success, a way to measure my impact beyond traditional milestones.

The difference isn’t that one type of growth is better than the other.

It’s that growth evolves based on what matters most to you in this season of life.

How to Recognize Your Growth

Growth isn’t always dramatic. It’s subtle and quiet. But when you pause to reflect, you’ll see it:

• Maybe you’ve learned to speak up in meetings, even when it scares you.

• Maybe you’ve set boundaries that protect your time and energy.

• Maybe you’ve handled tough conversations with grace you didn’t have before.

Small moments of growth often go unnoticed because they don’t feel monumental.

But they add up.

A Call to Reflect

As this year ends, take a moment to reflect on your own journey:

• What did you learn about yourself this year?

• How have you shown up differently than you did in 2023?

• What small steps forward can you celebrate?

Even if it’s been a hard year—even if you’ve felt stuck at times—you’re still here.

And that means you’ve grown.

Moving Forward

As we step into 2025, remember: Growth isn’t about dramatic transformations or measurable milestones.

It’s about showing up every day and choosing to align your actions with the life you want to lead.

Growth happens when you:

• Reflect on what’s working and what’s not.

• Take small, meaningful steps forward.

• Trust the process, even when the outcome feels uncertain.

You don’t need to have all the answers.

You just need to keep evolving.

So here’s my invitation for you:

As you reflect on this year, don’t just ask, “What did I achieve?”

Ask, “How did I grow?”

And as you step into the next year, don’t focus on what you can measure. Focus on how you want to evolve:

• What habits will help you grow?

• What mindsets will help you thrive?

• What kind of person do you want to become?

Because the truth is, growth doesn’t stop.

It’s constant.

It’s subtle.

And it’s worth every step forward.

Here’s to a year of intentional growth, purposeful living, and trusting yourself.