The Progress You’re Undervaluing
“Pay attention to what’s already growing.”
– Parker J. Palmer
There’s something almost ironic about “growth.” We talk about it as if it’s always about fixing what’s broken or transforming what’s not enough.
One thing most people overlook is that growth often begins with what’s already functioning well. Not perfect. Not polished. Just working.
And yet, many of us dismiss those parts because they don’t feel dramatic or impressive. We give more attention to the fires we’re putting out than the tiny flames that are quietly keeping us warm. And that’s how we end up entering every year exhausted—managing problems instead of nurturing the strengths that could have made the load lighter in the first place.
As educators, parents, leaders, and simply humans trying to do our best, we chronically underestimate the power of what’s already going well.
A connection that held steady.
A boundary you enforced even when it was uncomfortable.
A routine that kept you grounded.
A moment of self-awareness that shifted the tone of an entire day.
These things aren’t small. They are seeds. And seeds grow when they’re nourished—not when they’re ignored in favor of “fixing everything else.”
This is where realistic growth begins—not with reinvention, but with attention.
Because the honest truth is: you don’t need a whole new system, identity, or life for this new year. You just need to grow what’s already showing signs of life.
Small successes are clues.
They’re telling you what’s sustainable. What fits you. What supports your real life—not the idealized version of you who has endless time, patience, or emotional bandwidth.
So instead of asking, “What do I need to fix?”
Try asking, “What is one thing that actually worked for me last year, and how can I protect it, deepen it, or expand it?”
That shift alone has the power to transform your year.
Quick Tips to Grow What’s Already Working
1. Identify your top three “quiet wins” from last year.
These are the habits, boundaries, or relationship moments that stabilized you—even if no one else noticed.
2. Choose one and make it non-negotiable.
Not all three. Just one. Growth is sustainable when it’s simple.
3. Strengthen it by 10%, not 100%.
If the habit was weekly, try twice a week—not daily. If the boundary worked, reinforce it in one additional area—not five.
4. Communicate the habit or boundary with your circle.
Let your students, kids, partner, or team know what you’re trying to grow and why. Connection increases accountability.
5. Track evidence, not perfection.
Write down small moments when the habit helped you. The more you see the impact, the more your brain commits to sustaining it.
Growing what’s already working doesn’t make your year smaller. It makes your year stronger.
It creates depth instead of overwhelm. It builds consistency instead of chaos. And most importantly, it honors the truth that you don’t need to rebuild yourself every January.
Sometimes, the most powerful growth comes from watering the seeds you planted long before you realized how much they mattered.
To close the series, we’re sharing a free reflection sheet to help you reset the expectations you’re bringing into the new year. If you’ve been feeling weighed down by quiet pressure or unspoken “shoulds,” this tool offers a simple reset.
👉 Download the Expectation Reset Sheet and step into the new year with more clarity.
If you also missed the previous series about Wintering and maybe reread the series with fresh eyes—you’re welcome to start here or you can start from the beginning of this series.
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From leadership teams to full faculty, we offer customized workshops that equip educators to integrate SEL and Educational Neuroscience seamlessly into everyday teaching.
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