“April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.”
– T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land

There’s something about April, right?

One day it feels like spring has finally arrived. The next, it’s grey, cold, and pouring rain. You want to throw on sandals, but you still need your coat. It’s a weird in-between.

And honestly? It’s kind of how growth feels, too.

We think growth is supposed to feel like momentum. Energy. Blooming.
But most of the time? Growth feels like discomfort. Like effort without reward. Like you’re showing up, doing the work, and wondering when something is going to click.

Here’s what I’ve learned: There’s a rhythm to growth. And it doesn’t go in a straight line.

Growth = Expansion + Contraction

Nature doesn’t just explode into spring overnight. It stutters. It stretches. It pulls back before it pushes forward.
And so do we.

There’s a cycle to real change—and it doesn’t always feel good while you’re in it. In psychology, it’s called the chaos phase—the uncomfortable middle part of transformation, where old habits break down but the new ones haven’t quite clicked yet. It’s frustrating. It’s vulnerable. And it’s completely normal.

Studies show that people often experience a temporary dip in confidence and performance right before measurable growth. (Organizational Dynamics, 2017)

Why? Because your brain is rewiring. You’re literally outgrowing your old patterns. That expansion takes energy. It takes adjustment. And yeah—it usually feels messy.

What That Looks Like in Business

You send a bunch of outreach messages—and hear crickets.
You take a risk in your marketing—and feel like nobody notices.
You’re working harder than ever—but results are slow to show up.

That’s the contraction.

But underneath it? Skills are sharpening. Relationships are building. Reputation is forming.

The momentum is underground, but it’s happening.

How to Stay Grounded in the Growth

Here’s what I come back to when I’m in the thick of it:

1. Trust the Dip.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable, that’s often a sign you’re in the middle of a stretch—not a setback. Don’t fight it. Move with it.

2. Track the Inputs, Not Just the Outcomes.
Want to stay motivated? Focus on what you can control. Conversations, outreach, content, follow-ups. The outcomes will catch up.

3. Let Rest Be Part of the Work.
Even nature builds in pauses. Some of your most important growth happens in the quiet moments—when you stop pushing and start realigning.

The Challenge: Zoom Out This Week

Ask yourself: Where am I growing right now—even if it doesn’t feel like it yet?

Because growth doesn’t always look like winning.
Sometimes it looks like showing up again and again with no guarantee.
Sometimes it looks like discomfort, confusion, and rain.

But just like April—underneath it all, something new is starting to bloom.

Keep going.
You’re closer than you think.

Steadily yours,
– Molly B.
Founder & CEO, Molly B. Townsend Coaching & Consulting
[email protected]