Listen here.
Susanna loves plants. She has an amazing knack for helping plants flourish. It’s a gift. If it were up to me, none of them would survive. A couple of years ago, she bought a money tree at a community event. Do you have one? It’s a low-maintenance, pet-friendly plant with beautiful braided stems. They can grow as tall as 8 feet indoors! However, ours seems to be a bit stunted in its growth. It’s topped out at about 4 feet.
The thing with a tree is that the root system it occupies limits its growth. In other words, it needs a bigger pot to expand!
If we repot the plant in a larger container, we will eventually have a bigger tree. It won’t show up immediately. There will be little visible upward growth during the first two months. During that time, the root system spreads and stretches out in its new home, growing deeper and stronger roots. After that foundation is established, a money tree can grow up to 24 inches each year. The root system is expanding and increasing the tree’s capacity for growth.
So, how does this apply to you? Let me ask you this: It’s Sunday. Do you have the Sunday scaries? Are you dreading what is awaiting you at work tomorrow? Are you thinking about the same unsolved projects and difficult conversations? Are you ready for the week to be over before it starts?
If this is you, there’s nothing wrong with you. I’ve been there myself more times than I can count. I remember being stuck in what felt like a weekly doom loop with no way out. But knowing what you want and actually changing your life are two entirely different things. How do you even know where to start?
Personal growth changed my life. It’s essentially a “repotting” of your brain. Intentional growth expands your capacity to see opportunities rather than obstacles in the world around you. “Yeah, Tarek, I’ve heard this self-help crap before, and I don’t buy it. You don’t know what I’m facing.” Agreed. I don’t know what you’re up against. I’m speaking from my experience. I became interested in personal growth after realizing that doing things my way was a dead end.
Nothing happens immediately when we start working on ourselves by journaling, taking gratitude walks, reading new books, listening to podcasts, and opening ourselves to new ideas. However, your life can’t help but change over time as your root system expands:
You will start to see opportunities instead of what limits you.
You will show up differently with those you live and work with.
You will think much less about what others think and more about fulfilling your potential.
The growth happening inside you starts to show up on the outside of you as you grow taller and more confident in who you are and how you were meant to show up in the world.
How might you begin repotting your life this week? Pick one thing you want to improve in and
Do it on purpose. If it’s reading a book, commit to 10 pages per day.
Do it imperfectly. Celebrate the small victories along the way, and don’t beat yourself up when you miss a day.
Do it without knowing how things will turn out. It’s hard to do new things when you don’t see immediate results. But keep going.
I’m blocking time to work on my book through the end of the year. It’s the most important appointment I have with myself. I’m committed to getting it done in 2026. It’s been a goal of mine for at least 3 years. For some reason, writing this blog has been a lot easier than the book. No matter. I’m committed.
What will you do to grow bigger on the inside? I’m hosting a free masterclass on Wednesday night about how we’re built for more than climbing to the next rung on the achievement ladder. It’s free, and I know you’ll come away with new ideas for your life.
Make this the week that you don’t settle anymore. The one that puts you on a journey to become who you were always meant to be.
See you next Sunday.
P.S. Join me on Wednesday at 6 PM Central. It may just give you the spark you’ve needed to live the life you were made for. Here’s the link:
Built for More Than The Next Rung Masterclass
Thank you for reading. Who do you know that would benefit from this newsletter? The best compliment I could receive is that you would share it with someone you care about.
Well done, Susanna… my money tree didn’t survive! But, I do love your repotting metaphor, Tarek🪴