In the self-improvement/self-help/spiritual growth circles that I’ve moved in and had the opportunity to observe, I’ve noted a common theme of “growth takes a lot of hard work.”

This is true, as far as it goes, but I think that in our particular North American, Puritan-derived, Protestant-work-ethic-GO culture, too much emphasis is placed upon the work, and not enough on the easiness of growth, the playfulness of it, and the effortlessness of it.

You can think about it this way: when was the last time you saw a tree putting in extra hours to its growth? How often do you see kittens attending workshops to learn to develop properly? Do you ever see a flower breaking a sweat when preparing to bloom, worried that it might not?

Looked at this way, working to grow makes no real sense. Growth is something that simply happens in living things of its own accord, without any special concentration or striving. Does that mean I think we should stop putting energy into our growth? Obviously not! If a tree, a kitten, or a flower stopped putting energy into growing, it wouldn’t survive for long. At best, it would be outcompeted by those organisms that are still growing. At worst, it would simply die from lack of energy and nourishment.

As human beings, we are possessed with the peculiar and endlessly fascinating ability to consciously and willfully direct how we expend our energy (at least to some degree). The way in which we grow through life seems to be something that we can steer toward and away from, but not something that we can cease altogether. We’re growing if we’re alive, because that’s what life does.

Have you ever noticed that, when learning a new skill, the amount of work that it takes to get just the basics down seems huge, but after a time, it gets easier? Of course you have! That’s what learning is! Beyond just the exercising of the skill, though, have you ever noticed that it gets easier to motivate yourself to do the work needed in order to learn or grow your skill as you build the habit of practicing? Beginning an exercise program starts out difficult, but as the habit becomes ingrained, it becomes easy to get moving and do the workout. It becomes less exhausting and more energizing as it becomes a part of how you live your life.

This is the art of effortless effort. Choose the direction you wish to grow in, take action, and sit back and relax and enjoy for a minute. Your growth is already happening, it’s already on its way, stop and notice it, savor it, soak it up before you start pushing yourself onto the next step. See how easy taking bigger and bigger steps becomes. You’re already there, you’re already growing, just bring the energy and watch!

Recommended Reading:

Relax, You’re Already Perfect, by Bruce Schneider