The Growth Cycle

The Growth Curve

As an engineer, I’ve always been wired to look for patterns — inputs, processes, and outputs that explain how systems behave. Over time, I’ve realized that human growth follows a similar pattern, though it’s far less linear and predictable.

This simple graph captures something deeply human:
On the x-axis is Acceptance, and on the y-axis is Agency.
The journey between them — the blue curve — represents our lived experience.

At the lower left, we start in the Victim mindset, asking:

“Why is this happening to me?”

It’s the space where resistance, confusion, and pain live. But as we lean into acceptance, something shifts. We begin to ask:

“Why is this happening for me?”

That’s where Agency begins to grow. It’s not about control — it’s about curiosity, responsibility, and perspective.

Like any system, growth comes with oscillations — peaks and dips, regressions and breakthroughs. It’s not failure; it’s feedback. Every fluctuation represents a calibration point between acceptance and action.

As parents, leaders, and humans, our goal isn’t to eliminate those oscillations — it’s to move through them with awareness and curiosity.

💡 Reflection:
Where are you on this curve right now — resistance, acceptance, or agency?

#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #EngineeringMindset #Curiosity #Resilience #Psychology #SelfDevelopment