Stretching Isn’t Growth

Growth & Courage

May 19

MAY, 19 2025

Growth isn’t automatic. You have to be intentional about what you feed your mind and body during stretch periods, because that’s what determines whether the discomfort leads to a breakthrough or a breakdown.

Fill the gap with faith, not fear.

Stretching yourself doesn’t guarantee growth. I know that’s not the motivational poster version, but it’s the truth.

We all know what it feels like to push for that next level. What is it for you? A bigger role. A tougher goal. A bold new direction. In those moments, something opens up inside us: a space between where we are and where we want to go.

That space

…is the gap.

It’s vulnerable. Uncertain. Uncomfortable. And because it doesn’t feel good, it’s easy to mistake the gap for failure, or assume that being there means something’s wrong. But here’s the thing: the gap is exactly where growth happens… if you use it well.

We’ve been sold this idea that any challenge we overcome automatically makes us stronger.

But here’s the nuance: it only makes us stronger if we’re intentional about what fills in the gap it creates.

If you stretch yourself, but fill that gap with fear, doomscrolling, self-doubt, or distractions… you short-circuit the whole process.

Growth can’t take root in that kind of noise.

But if you stretch and then flood that gap with trust, wellness, discipline, positive self-talk, and a supportive community? Now you’re cultivating the conditions that make real, lasting transformation possible.

Think of it like this:

Stretching ≠ Growth.

Stretching + Intention = Growth.

The stretch opens the gap. Consistent intention fills it.

That’s why, in every stretch period of my life, from building businesses to recovering from collapse; from climbing literal mountains to tough conversations, I’ve had to get ruthless about what I let into that gap. And I can tell you I’m still not perfect at it. But I have built rituals, relationships, and mindsets that support the growth process.

So here’s the question I’ll leave you with: What are you filling your gap with?

Are you reinforcing your courage or feeding your fear? Are you choosing your inputs with care, or defaulting to whatever the algorithm throws your way?

You don’t grow just because you stretch. You grow because you show up to the stretch with the right fuel.

The gap is waiting. Fill it wisely.

Key Idea

Growth doesn’t come from the stretch, it comes from what you put in the gap. Growth isn’t automatic. You have to be intentional about what you feed your mind and body during stretch periods, because that’s what determines whether the discomfort leads to a breakthrough or a breakdown.

Takeaway

Fill the gap with faith, not fear.

Build your Movement

What’s one positive habit, mindset, or relationship you can lean into right now to fill your stretch with growth instead of doubt?