Growth Without the Grind
The days are finally starting to lengthen, the frozen ground beginning to thaw. Our hopes and dreams for 2026 have been buried underneath the tragedies happening in our country, obscured behind illness, overshadowed by responsibilities, and cut down by self-criticism. But even in the face of these challenges, it’s never too late to start (or resume!) working toward your goals. Here are a few strategies to set you up for sustainable growth practices.
Make it social: We are social creatures, highly motivated by our relationships. Are there people you can involve in working toward your goals? You could schedule a weekly call with a friend to share your progress or enroll in group classes to learn that new skill. There are few things more motivating than working with other people!
Make a time: Make specific plans for how you’re going to accomplish your goals. Can you set aside two hours on Sundays to meal plan and grocery shop so it becomes easier to cook during the week? Maybe every Thursday at 4:00pm you send two emails to build your professional network. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to implement.
Make it fun: Rewards are an essential part of the habit-building process. What’s something you can give yourself to celebrate your effort? A sticker of your choice for every day you brush your teeth? Lighting your favorite candle as you sit down to write? The more exciting the reward, the more motivated you will feel to practice your habit.
A few things to keep in mind as you’re implementing these new habits:
Focus on progress, not perfection. The more you’re able to see how far you’ve come rather than fixating on how far you have to go, the easier it will be to stay energized.
Be kind and compassionate with yourself. You’re a person, not a robot; things will come up unexpectedly, and it’s okay to fall behind.
Ask for support. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is involve others in our growth.
Above all, prioritize perseverance. Think about consistency on the scale of months or years, rather than days or weeks. Rest is an important part of the process. Everything has its season; now is a good time to gather the resources you need and plan for your upcoming growth.
Morgan is a Couples and Family Therapist at AACG and offers sessions in both English and French. Drawing from Cognitive Science, somatic therapy, and her training as a certified yoga instructor, she helps clients identify relational patterns, regulate reactivity, and build more secure, connected relationships. She can be reached at: morgan@amandaatkinschicago.com.