Missed last week’s insights on Beyond Ambition? Here’s the link to catch up before diving into this week’s edition.

Growth is non-negotiable for high-achievers. Although this is a constant for literally everything in this life, not everyone will necessarily see this as a good thing. But even for those who do want to progress, here’s the hard truth: most of us think we’re done when we’ve just begun.

After recovering from burnout or reaching stability, it’s easy to believe we’ve “arrived.” We are back to base camp! In reality, the journey of growth never ends. Each peak you reach reveals another, higher one waiting to be climbed. And especially, as the Buddhists say: you cannot see how the higher peak of the mountain is from the lower peak!

What separates extraordinary founders (and people) from the rest, is their willingness to embrace this truth. Growth isn’t a destination—it’s a process. It’s about moving beyond your limits, challenging your assumptions, and constantly improving yourself as a leader and a person.

And remember what I wrote in the last article:

Why People Stop Too Soon

When I first burned out, my priority was recovery. I focused on getting my energy back, restoring focus, and regaining stability. Once I felt grounded again, I thought I was done. And I thought I would remain there comfortably until I decided - with my own times and schedules - to move forward. Somehow, I keep forgetting the immutable truth of “impermanence”. NOTHING is stable.

Stability is a “fake” plateau, and definitely not the summit. Real growth begins when you stop seeking comfort and start pushing forward. But once again, progress is non-linear, so a) it doesn’t always feel like a forward movement and b) it doesn’t necessarily follow a strict timeline.

What I think most people don’t get right, though, is that progress doesn’t have to be painful. Pain, as we discussed in the past articles, it’s a signal. It shows you what happens if you go to a certain direction instead of another. But it’s our belief system (and thus lower “consciousness vibration”) that makes us think that in order to achieve great things we must suffer. This is at the base of the pervading hustle culture we see pretty much everywhere. Perhaps this is why many people are scared of growing and progressing. Because they are too scared of “pain”.

I recently talked to a founder who went into deep depression some years ago and he told me he’s now so scared to go back to where he came from that the sole idea of trying new methods to expand his consciousness (we were briefly talking about psychedelics) makes him chills.

The Brain’s Resistance to Change

Why is it so difficult to keep growing, even when you know it's necessary? The answer lies in biology. In The Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté provides a deeper perspective on how our brains are wired to favor stability over transformation. Change triggers a sense of danger, activating resistance and self-doubt.

For founders, this resistance often manifests as convincing excuses: "I don't have time," "This isn't urgent," or "I'm already doing enough." Another powerful mechanism is the "busy being busy" hamster wheel—constantly filling every calendar slot as if empty space means failure. These are protective mechanisms our brain uses to keep us comfortable, but they're also warning signs of approaching burnout.

The Stages of Growth: From Baseline to Mastery

Growth isn’t linear—it happens in stages. In another pearl of perfectly integrated scientific and ancient wisdom, Becoming Supernatural, Joe Dispenza describes how transformation requires moving from awareness to integration. First, you become aware of what needs to change. Then, you take consistent action. Over time, these actions become second nature, leading to mastery. But even mastery isn’t the end—it’s the starting point for new challenges. We discussed the full cycle of “habit creation” here.

What if I told you there's a way to accelerate this journey? Remember when I mentioned manifestation in our last article? This is where this concept becomes practical. Elite performers across sports and business use visualization not just as motivation but as a neurological shortcut through the growth stages.

Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Novak Djokovic and all the top athletes in the world mentally rehearse each shot and game they play. Once they get onto the court, they are not stressed, they are not “unprepared”, they are following a routine. They already know exactly what can happen in that game. This is not “woo woo magic” though; science proved they're actually creating neural pathways that fast-track their development.

The ancient system of the Kabbalah, as explained by David Ghiyam, outlines this process through three steps:

1. thought (visualization),

2. speech (declaration), and

3. action (aligned behavior).

For high-achievers, understanding these stages is critical. Growth begins with self-awareness: recognizing where you're stuck or limiting yourself. But when you add the power of manifestation—vividly experiencing your desired outcome before it materializes—you create an internal environment primed for rapid transformation. Your brain literally can't distinguish between a vividly imagined experience and reality when the emotional component is authentic.

If you want to learn more about what the Kabbalah is, check here a quick intro. We’ll dive deeper into these teachings in future articles. For now, what’s important is to acknowledge your possible “resistance” to these topics - maybe they are too mystic?! Maybe you feel they are not based on scientific facts?! - All these questions are legit and we’ll go over them at due time. For the time being, keep an open eye, and ear, and notice if you aren’t getting into “default mode resistance” for such a new piece of information.

Growth is a Lifelong Journey

The truth about growth is simple but profound: it never ends. This can feel daunting, but it’s also what makes the journey worthwhile. Each challenge, each stage of growth, and each hard truth you face brings you closer to your potential.

Embrace the discomfort, yet don’t be trapped in the “hard work = pain” mechanism that society is malevonly preaching. Seek out new challenges when you are in a state of full energy. Not when you are in burnout. Embrace change by visualizing it first in your mind, so you are ready when it comes and you know already how to react.

And remember, every peak you reach reveals a new one ahead. Growth isn’t a burden—it’s the opportunity to become the leader, the founder, and the person you’re meant to be.