I’ve been really sad

Life is a series of transformations

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It calls us to honour our truth,  to evolve, and to make the changes that come with it. 


My business partner, Justin and I have recently made the decision to part ways, not out of conflict, but out of alignment with what is most authentic for each of us


His path has led him to be with his family more, and in honouring his values, we both recognise that this transition is the next most perfect step forward for him.


Not all relationships are meant to last forever, and that’s okay.  


Growth often requires us to let go, to move beyond what once was in order to step fully into what is in this version of life. 


If we cling too tightly to what is familiar, we risk stagnation. 


Some people walk with us for a season, while others stay for a lifetime. 


The key is knowing when to hold on and when to let go.


This process has felt like stripping away the layers of identity, letting go of who you think you have to be, and embracing who you truly are. And that takes courage.


It demands that you release expectations from the world around you, let go of attachments and entanglements of who you others want you to be, or what you said you were going to do and trust that your path is unfolding perfectly.


This transition has been difficult. I wandered through the streets of Sydney, lost in thought, trying to make sense of the experience. At times, the weight of it all would hit me unexpectedly, bringing tears that felt as raw as the end of a relationship. 


The dream of building something together, the vision we shared, and the future I had imagined for myself, suddenly, it all shifted.


I was sad for the vision we wanted to create but I know that if it isn’t happening, it isn’t meant to be.


This shift has been a moment of reflection, a reminder that transformation isn’t about doing more, achieving more, or becoming more. 


Justin’s exit has made me realise I, too, need to shed what no longer serves, peeling back the layers of expectation, and return to the essence of who I truly am.


I love mindset work. I love the Demartini Method. I love coaching. 


That’s me. The fire in me to coach is too great for me to stop. 


My focus has been business, but my love is mindset. Seeing the personal insights with people and seeing it impact people’s business. It makes my heart burst. 


So the form is going to change slightly, the vision is unfolding, but the road is still the same.  


What matters most in life is living in alignment with who we truly are. 


At Maximum Growth, we value bold action, and Justin has exemplified that by choosing to exit, and be with his family. 


Our journey has been about honouring what is true, because it is from that space that everything else flows. 


Growth isn’t just about building a business; it’s about deep alignment, about listening to what calls us forward, and having the strength to follow it.


Justin, thank you for stepping into this business, for challenging us to grow, for helping us refine our path, and for ultimately honouring your own. 


I look forward to watching your path evolve and seeing where life takes you. I’ll be cheering you on the sidelines.

 
Thank you for being part of this chapter, for showing up fully, and for all that you have shared.


With love and oodles of gratitude,

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Your Voids Are Driving You

In the pursuit of personal and professional growth, many people overlook one of the most powerful forces guiding their lives, their voids. 

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

 

A void is the gaps, the perceived lacks, the things you didn’t have in the past or still don’t have now. 

 

Instead, they are the very foundation upon which your values and vision are built.

 

We have just finished two weeks of The Void Determination Process™ in our Maximum Growth Community.

 

For me, a new void bubbled up that I hadn’t seen before: the void of relationships. 

 

A void is a deep internal sense of something missing.

 

Yes, nothing is missing but in our experience of the world, we perceive something is missing.

 

What is missing is not random but formed through your life experiences, shaping what you seek and prioritise.

 

For example, I have a void of relationships, and I facilitate (as the value) to build connected and deep relationships with people to fulfil that void.  

 

Your values are formed in direct response to your voids. 

 

Instead of viewing voids as weaknesses, they are shaping your destiny. 

 

What you feel is missing, you strive to fulfil. 

 

This is why no two people have identical values, because everyone has a different set of voids. 

 

A few examples of voids shaping values:

 

Void of stability → Value of financial independence

Void of acceptance → Value of authenticity

Void of guidance → Value of leadership

Void of connection → Value of community

 

Knowing your voids will bring you the greatest fulfilment and impact.

 

Most coaches want to make a difference, they want to impact the world.

 

Your vision is the natural extension of your values in action. 

 

Knowing your voids that define your values, you can intentionally align them with a purpose-driven vision.

 

If you value leadership, your vision might involve empowering others through mentorship or building a movement.

 

If you value financial independence, your vision might involve creating wealth-building strategies for yourself and others.

 

If you value connection, your vision might involve fostering strong relationships, whether in business or personal life.

 

Your voids and values create a personal roadmap. 

 

When you create your vision from this place of deep alignment, you experience greater certainty and impact.

 

Many resist their voids, seeing them as painful reminders of what they lack.

 

But what if those very voids are your greatest gifts?

 

They are pointing you toward your unique purpose, shaping what you care about most, and shifting the direction of your life and business.

 

If you are keen to know your voids, hit me up by responding ‘voids’.

 

With love and sprinkles of inspiration,

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Holding the Vision

This week has been a theme of aligned vision in my one-on-one sessions.

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Clients have wanted to make sure that they are taking aligned action to their big vision.

 

It made me think…

 

There exists a rare breed of individuals on this planet, the visionaries who see beyond the immediacy of their circumstances, beyond the haze of uncertainty, and into another possibility. 

 

Their vision is not one of fleeting ambition but one that deeply resonates with themselves. 

 

It is not merely about achieving an outcome (tick that one-off-the-list attitude) but being congruent with who they are in what drives them and the present. 

 

But a vision, no matter how grand or clear, is merely a dream without the tethering force of action. 

 

One of my Christmas gifts was Seneca, a series of his writings. 

 

He said, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” 

 

Many coaches don’t achieve their vision not because their vision is impossible but because they have doubt, attachment to immediate results, or fear of failure. 

 

Your task is not only to hold the vision but to trust the process.

 

Even in the face of uncertainty.

 

Imagine The Vision As A Mirror of the Self

 

To have a vision is to hold a mirror to the deepest aspects of oneself. 

 

The world is constantly reflecting on you. 

 

We have the ability to use a vision as a path to get to know more of ourselves. 

 

But we must distinguish between what is within our control and what is out of our control. 

 

Our vision, our values, and actions belong to us. 

 

The outcome, the timeline, does not. 

 

One of the greatest enemies of vision is attachment to time.

 

We become attached to it when it must unfold. 

 

Human beings are wired to seek security and to cling to known outcomes. 

 

Yet, the very nature of vision requires an embrace of the unknown. 

 

When one clings too tightly to how things should be, they resist the organic unfolding of what could be.

 

There is a paradox in creation: 

 

  • one must care deeply, yet not be consumed; 
  • hold firmly, yet remain open. 

 

A vision is like a tree.

 

It requires roots (values and intention) but must also grow in accordance with the conditions it faces. 

 

The wind may bend its branches, and the seasons may alter its form, but so long as it continues to grow in alignment with its nature, spirit, and the universe, it fulfils its purpose.

 

Trusting the Process 

 

Trust is not passivity. 

 

It is active. 

 

You master the willingness to engage without needing to control. 

 

The visionary moves forward not with desperate force but with deliberate action. 

 

Think Power Versus Force

 

They understand that time and effort compound. 

 

The unseen forces of life conspire in favour of those who remain steady in their course. 

 

Can you hold steady even when life becomes bumpy? 

 

What stands in the way becomes the way.

 

This is not to say that there is no resistance, no moments of doubt. 

 

It’s the internal knowing that your vision is done. 

 

The Legacy of the Visionary

 

It is not a question of if but when

 

The visionary understands that their role is not to force things into being but to continue to align with themselves and their vision. 

 

It takes patience and persistence.

 

Your job is to hold the vision, trust the process, and continue to work on the unseen to be seen.

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Your future depends on this

As a coach, the decisions you make shape the direction of your business and influence its growth.

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

 

Every choice, from client interactions to business strategy, influences your success and the results you create for others. And, of course, for yourself. 

 

However, many coaches find themselves caught in cycles of indecision, over-analysis, or hesitation, which stalls progress and can chip away at their worth.

 

Decisions as Catalysts for Growth

 

Every decision you make in your coaching business contributes to your long-term evolution. No matter how small or big, they are building or breaking your business. 

 

Whether refining your niche, setting your pricing, or choosing your marketing strategy, decisions act as turning points that determine direction.

 

Coaches we are working with in Maximum Growth are making decisions around defining your coaching focus, structuring their offers between one-on-one, group coaching, or online programs, pricing their services by balancing affordability with the value of transformation or scaling their business by knowing when to expand, delegate, or pivot. 

 

Clarity in your decisions allows you to build a business that aligns with your identity, your values, and long-term vision

 

So Why Coaches Struggle with Decisions?

 

Many coaches hesitate because they fear making mistakes. Which is a catch-22 – because you help others to dissolve their fears… but you get stuck in your own.

 

Every decision, even indecision, provides feedback that sharpens your clarity and business acumen.

 

Another factory in why coaches struggle is they naturally seek guidance from mentors, peers, or industry trends. 

 

However, over-reliance on external opinions can create doubt and uncertainty. Too many opinions spoil the broth – Not sure if that is how you use the saying but let’s roll with it. 

 

With endless strategies, methods, and advice available, the pressure to make the ‘perfect’ decision can be overwhelming.  

 

The best decisions come from aligning with who you are. 

 

And then bringing that to the world. 

 

Sometimes, hesitation isn’t about failure, it’s about success. 

 

Bigger decisions lead to greater responsibility, visibility, and challenges.

 

As we step into February, whether you have big or small decisions to make, every choice is a step forward. 

 

Instead of fearing the weight of decision-making, see it as an opportunity to refine your vision, step into your authority, and align your business with the impact you want to create. 

 

Trust that no decision is final or fatal, only a stepping stone on your journey.

 

So, what decision will you commit to today? 

 

The future of your coaching practice depends on it.

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

The Invisible Habit: How People Pleasing Becomes Second Nature

It starts so subtly that you barely notice it.

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A small nod of agreement when you want to say no. 

 

A quick “it’s fine” when something doesn’t align with you. 

 

Over time, this way of being becomes ingrained. It feels like it’s who you are.

 

People-pleasing isn’t just a behaviour; it’s a way of navigating the world. 

 

It can become an almost unconscious need to create harmony, to avoid conflict, or to feel valued. 

 

But where does this need come from, and why does it feel so automatic?

 

At its core, people-pleasing often stems from the dynamics of early relationships. 

 

As children, we are highly attuned to the emotional cues of those around us. 

 

A warm smile for compliance or a cold shoulder for defiance teaches us, little by little, how to adapt. 

 

Over time, these adaptations become strategies, ways to maintain connections, to feel safe, and to ensure acceptance.

 

But what happens when those strategies start impacting your life?

 

You notice you are agreeing to commitments we don’t have time for. 

 

You say yes when you mean no.

 

Silencing our true feelings to keep the peace. 

 

Or bending over backward to meet expectations, even at the expense of our own needs. 

 

It can feel rewarding at the moment, a fleeting sense of approval, a momentary relief from tension. 

 

But the cost is often a quiet erosion of self.

 

This pattern thrives on subtle reinforcement. 

 

A compliment for being “so easygoing.” 

 

Praise for being “reliable.” 

 

These words can feel like validation, yet they also tether us further to the label of the one who says yes, the one who never complains, the one who makes it all okay.

 

And yet, internally, there’s often a sense of exhaustion, frustration, or even resentment. 

 

The more we give away parts of ourselves, the more distant we can feel from our true selves.

 

It’s a cycle that can leave you wanting to reclaim your identity.

 

People-pleasing isn’t a flaw; it’s a response, one that was likely learned for a reason. 

 

And life is more about unlearning and relearning.

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

The Fine Line Between Helping and Taking on Too Much

Responsibility can feel like a banner we raise to prove our care and capability.

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For many coaches and business owners, it becomes a core part of their identity, a way to prove their worth or maintain a sense of control in their lives.

 

But what happens when the weight of responsibility becomes overwhelming, when it spills over from one area of life into another, leaving little room to breathe?

 

I recently worked with someone whose sense of responsibility stretched across their entire life.

 

It began in their family. They felt a deep obligation to take care of their wider family, often putting their needs aside to ensure everyone else was okay. 

 

As daily life grew, the sense of responsibility grew too. 

 

This pattern extended into their work, where they felt responsible not only for their tasks but also for the outcomes of their employees, their clients and the client’s results.  

 

What drives this sense of responsibility? 

 

It often starts in childhood, where certain roles are adopted in response to the dynamics within a family.

 

For some, it’s about earning love (not the higher universal love – but the societal version of love) or approval; for others, it’s about maintaining peace or avoiding conflict. 

 

This sense of responsibility becomes a way to feel safe, valued, or connected. 

 

Over time, it can harden into a habit, an automatic way of operating in relationships and environments.

 

In adulthood, these patterns can blur the boundaries between what is ours to carry and what isn’t. 

 

Someone might take on more than their share in a relationship, believing it’s their job to keep things running smoothly. At work, they might feel personally accountable for results beyond their control. 

 

The line between helping and over-functioning becomes harder to see, especially when their identity is tied to being ‘the responsible one.’

 

This dynamic isn’t random. 

 

It’s deeply connected to how we’ve learned to connect with others. 

 

For some, the belief that they must give more, do more, or be more to maintain relationships or prove their worth becomes a guiding principle. 

 

Others find themselves trapped in the inability to say no, driven by a fear of rejection, judgment, or the thought of disappointing those around them.

 

In many cases, giving, doing, and being more feel essential to feeling secure or valued in relationships. 

 

Over time, this can lead to a blurred sense of boundaries, where overextending oneself feels like the only way to maintain acceptance or connection. 

 

For others, the struggle lies in the discomfort of setting limits, as the worry of how they might be perceived looms large.

 

In many ways, responsibility often carries an undertone of self-blame or assigning blame to others. 

 

It can be a quiet, internal narrative where the weight of not being enough takes centre stage. 

 

This is when the whip comes out, not in the literal sense, but as an unrelenting mental self-punishment. 

 

It’s the voice that tells you that you’re falling short, the inner critic that keeps you tied to a cycle of over-functioning and self-doubt.

 

The drive to be responsible isn’t just about doing what’s right, and it’s often tied to a deeper story, one that connects self-worth with the ability to carry the weight of the world. 

 

But at what cost?

 

In the end, responsibility is a complex dynamic. It impacts how we show up in the world and how we relate to others, but it can also bind us in patterns of overextension and self-criticism. 

 

Responsibility isn’t inherently a burden, but when it becomes entangled with self-worth or the need to prove something, it can transform into a heavy, unrelenting weight that shapes our actions and sense of self. 

 

Understanding this complexity offers you an opportunity to question not only what we carry but why we feel the need to carry it.


With love and light,

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

What Will Your Next Quarter Of A Century Story Be?

Last night, I had the privilege of seeing Hamilton with a friend. (Did I mention I’m a bit of a stage show enthusiast?)

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again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

 

It’s more than a musical—it’s a masterpiece. Hamilton is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the stories we leave behind.


One line in particular struck me deeply:


“How do you want others to tell your story when you’re gone?”


It’s a question that lingers, isn’t it? It makes you pause and reflect on your purpose, your impact, and how you’re shaping your life.


As we step into 2025—a new year and the start of a new quarter-century—it feels like the perfect time to ask ourselves:

 

  • What will the story of the next 25 years be?
  • And what has been the story of the last 25 years?
     

Twenty-five years ago, I stood at a crossroads. Should I stay in Melbourne, in a comfortable job, or take a leap into the unknown and move to Queensland?


I chose to leap.


That decision was filled with uncertainty, ambition, and the undeniable pull of my inner knowing. I didn’t have all the answers (and I still don’t!), but I knew I wanted my life to matter.


The path wasn’t easy. There were doubts, obstacles, and tough lessons. But every challenge gifted me with a richer life experience.


It also led me to found MG—a space where I could empower coaches and business owners to unlock their fullest potential.


Looking back, I realise this:


The most significant growth in my life came when I followed my inner wisdom and took bold, aligned action.


So here’s my question for you.


What story do you want to create in the next 25 years?


This isn’t about setting resolutions—it’s about revelations.


Moments of clarity that align your goals with your growth.


As you reflect, consider these questions:

 

  • What truly moves the needle in your life and business?
  • What can you let go of to create space for what truly serves your purpose?
  • What steps will you take to expand into the next, most aligned version of yourself?

Here’s what I know.


This year is an opportunity to plant the seeds of a story you’ll be proud to have others share.


At MG, we’re here to help you take congruent, purposeful action toward creating the coaching business and life of your dreams.


If you feel a calling to serve…


If you want to create a story worth telling…


If you’re ready to expand to your next level, authentically and with clarity…


Let’s see how we can help you shape your next chapter.


Wishing you a year of courage, clarity, and creation.


With love and intention,

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

How can I help you?

I have a question for you—and I’d love a true answer. 

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

 

On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your business right now? 

 

Let me know because I’d love to have a 1:1 chat about where you’re at and how we can move things forward together.

 

You probably know by now that I’ve built my private coaching business to multi 6 figures – —and I’ve done it while working less than 25 hours a week and without posting on social media in over three years. 

 

But none of this happened overnight, and I certainly wasn’t born knowing how to make it work.

 

It took years of learning, trial and error, investing in coaches and courses, making mistakes, and—most importantly—showing up even when it wasn’t easy. And trust me, it wasn’t easy. Far from it. There were times when I felt stuck, unsure, and overwhelmed. Let me share some of the roadblocks I hit along the way:

 

  • I put off launching for months because it wasn’t “perfect.”
  • I stayed quiet, worried about what friends and family would think.
  • When I finally launched… there was nothing but crickets. 🦗
  • I told myself I didn’t have the time to figure out SEO, funnels, or systems.
  • I wasted hours tweaking my website and branding, chasing perfection instead of focusing on the bigger picture.
  • I held back from investing in myself, thinking I had to wait until I was making money first.

 

It wasn’t until I realised these were just limiting beliefs that things began to change. I had to start treating my business like a real business, not just a side project or hobby. Because the truth is, if you treat it like a hobby, it stays a hobby.

 

Henry Ford said it best: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

 

Eventually, I made the decision to believe that success was possible for me—and I took action. And that action made all the difference.

 

Action pushes fear aside. It gives you clarity. And here’s the key: You don’t need to feel confident before you show up—you build confidence by showing up.

 

If I had waited for everything to be perfect, I would have missed out on some of the most incredible experiences of my life. Things like:

 

  • Paying the mortgage on my dream home—our modern farmhouse.
  • Having the freedom to spend time with my family every day, on my schedule.
  • Taking walks with my brother or meeting a friend for lunch, without needing permission from anyone.
  • Prioritizing self-care with therapy, acupuncture, massages, and coaching—because I have the time and resources to do it.
  • Working from the comfort of my couch, in my pajamas, because I run the show and make the rules.

 

I want you to know that I’m right here on the other side of this email, ready to support you. 

 

What’s your biggest challenge right now? Where are you feeling stuck? 

 

Let’s talk about what’s holding you back—and, more importantly, how we can unlock your next level of success. 

 

You have your own unique version of success waiting for you, and I’d love to help you get there.

 

Let’s make this happen together!

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Put these in place now

We are coming up to the end of the year, and you might be thinking… I want a break.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

 

But clients sign up, and you have to work. 

 

As coaches, our primary goal is to empower our clients to achieve their goals and unlock their potential (or whatever it is for you).

 

However, without clear boundaries, you risk becoming overextended, leading to burnout, and you can diminish your professional effectiveness and credibility. Not to mention, the lack of clear limits can intrude into personal time, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.

 

Boundaries serve as a structure to maintain a balance between supporting our clients and ourselves. 

 

We all have a love to serve…. And difficulty saying no to people when they need you.

 

Boundaries can be thought of as the invisible lines that define the limits of what is ok and what is not ok.
 

Can’t you dissolve your emotional charge and everything be ok?!

 

There are still behaviours, actions, and interactions in any relationship, including the coaching relationship, that you will or won’t want. 

 

Boundaries include time, personal space, communication, confidentiality, and the scope of the coaching relationship. 

 

In our coaching journey, various factors can blur the lines of our boundaries, making it challenging to maintain clarity and integrity as a coach.

 

External pressures, such as expectations of how many clients, what to charge, what not to charge, and societal expectations of how much you should and shouldn’t work, which may impose unrealistic demands and expectations on our time and energy, leading us to overextend ourselves in an effort to meet perceived obligations. AKA at the loss of self. 

 

If there are personal insecurities or a desire to please others, it can cloud our judgment, causing us to compromise our boundaries in favour of seeking approval or avoiding conflict. 

 

It’s essential to recognise these factors and explore how they influence our boundary-setting process, allowing us to identify and address potential triggers or vulnerabilities.

 

Establishing clear boundaries begins with a deep understanding of our own needs, values, and limitations as coaches. 

 

Take the time to reflect on what is personally meaningful to you and where you draw the line in terms of your time, energy, and emotional investment. 

 

What are your boundaries in specific terms, covering areas such as scheduling, communication protocols, confidentiality, and your role as a coach? 

 

By defining your boundaries with clarity and precision, you create a roadmap for navigating the complexities of coaching relationships while honouring your own well-being and professional integrity.

 

Not knowing our boundaries often stems from a lack of awareness of our own needs. 

 

As coaches, we may prioritise the needs of our clients above our own, believing that self-sacrifice is synonymous with being of service. 

 

However, neglecting our own needs only leads to resentment, exhaustion, and, ultimately, burnout. It’s essential to recognise that honouring our own needs is not selfish but necessary for our well-being and sustainability as coaches.

 

So know it is ok to create and maintain coaching boundaries over the next month. 

 

Make sure you manage expectations by communicating with your clients. Let them know you’ll be away so they are informed. 

 

And then, the time comes to practice those boundaries when a client rings and wants an emergency session on the 28th of December.

 

Tanya Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

Stop using pain to push you

Are you sick of needing problems to motivate you to get the work done?


If that resonates with you, you’ve come to the perfect place.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Today, we’re diving into a deep mindset question:


Do we do the work to resolve pain, or do we pursue it to level up in life?


For many years, I found myself using pain as my motivator. I see this pattern in many people—doing the work to escape discomfort, with pain as the trigger to take action.


Often, it feels like life throws challenges your way just to push you forward. I thought I needed to be in the fire to help my clients—financial struggles, a tough divorce, or health issues that left me barely functioning.


Maybe you’ve been through something similar, believing these experiences were essential for your growth.


But what if there’s another way?


An internal, fulfilling way of doing the work that’s not rooted in resolving pain but in proactively smashing through your growth ceilings.


Shifting how we view motivation changes everything. Instead of relying on external pain as a trigger, we can cultivate internal fulfilment.


When we no longer rely on challenges or crises to fuel our progress, we avoid creating unnecessary struggles—like illness, relationship breakdowns, or financial slowdowns—to spur us into action. Understanding how pain motivates us can help us shift to a more sustainable path of growth.


Pain can be a powerful catalyst for change. When we experience discomfort, it lights a fire under us, pushing us to act. This is often linked to aversion motivation, the idea that we act to avoid or escape unpleasant situations.


For example, many people embark on fitness journeys because of health scares or discomfort—perhaps a diagnosis of high blood pressure prompts someone to adopt a healthier lifestyle.


The fear of health deterioration becomes a compelling motivator. Similarly, personal growth often comes from a desire to overcome adversity. Someone with a difficult childhood may work hard to break generational cycles of hardship or abuse, driven by the pain of their past, to create a better future.


While pain is a powerful motivator, relying on it exclusively can become exhausting. If we need problems to motivate us, life has a way of providing more challenges—more illness, more relationship struggles, more financial hardship—just to keep us moving forward.


This constant cycle can wear us down, leaving us drained and stuck in a reactive mode. The key is recognising that there’s another way to grow—one that isn’t dependent on pain.


Rather than waiting for adversity, we can take a proactive approach to self-development.


Growth can be intentional and fulfilling when driven by internal goals.


This shift allows us to create challenges that we consciously choose rather than those life throws at us. For instance, we can set goals to become stronger, learn new skills, or expand our business, not because we need to fix something but because we genuinely want to grow.


Challenging ourselves to be more, do more, and have more becomes an exciting journey rather than a reaction to problems.


When we align our growth with our values and intrinsic motivations, we enter a state known as self-concordance.


Self-concordant goals are those that align with who we truly are and what matters most to us. Pursuing these goals feels meaningful because it resonates with our authentic selves, providing a sense of autonomy and fulfilment.


The motivation comes from within, not from external pressures or rewards. In contrast, goals that are not aligned with our values—those driven by societal expectations or a desire to please others—can leave us feeling disconnected, stressed, and unfulfilled.


Choosing growth aligned with your purpose offers more sustainable motivation. Growth becomes about pursuing a larger vision, not just resolving immediate pain. It’s the difference between striving for short-term relief and working towards long-term fulfilment.


Growth through pain can certainly push us forward, but growth fueled by vision is much more expansive. It allows us to step beyond survival mode and into a space where we create and build the life we want.


Balancing these two types of motivation—resolving pain and levelling up—can be a powerful approach. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but it’s important to reflect on which path resonates with you at different stages in life.


Both have their place, and the key is learning to use each approach intentionally rather than falling into reactive patterns.


Sometimes, resolving pain is necessary to move forward, but choosing to grow from a place of intrinsic motivation provides lasting fulfilment.


As we reflect on what drives us, it’s helpful to recognise that true growth happens when we shift from short-term problem-solving to long-term purpose.


Growth with purpose isn’t just about achieving success or making progress; it’s about aligning with a vision that transcends the immediate challenges.


It’s the journey of becoming who we are meant to be, not just reacting to life’s difficulties.


In conclusion, the question isn’t whether one form of motivation is right or wrong but how we can embrace both in balance.


Some moments will call for us to resolve pain, while others invite us to pursue growth proactively. What matters is finding the approach that aligns with our individual needs and aspirations.


When we tap into purpose-driven growth, we experience not just success but also deeper meaning and fulfilment.


Whether your journey is fueled by challenges or by vision, embracing personal growth will always lead to new possibilities and a richer life experience.

 

Tanya “Do The Work” Cross

 

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

 

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