LEARNING ISN'T LINEAR: HOW PERSONAL GROWTH REALLY WORKS
- Derek Hagen
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
❝The day you plant the seed is not thes day you eat the fruit.❞ -Fabienne Fredrickson
When I first picked up a ukulele, I thought I’d get a little better each day. You’ve probably heard that idea before—just improve 1% a day and the results add up over time.
But in practice? That’s not what it felt like.
Some days I’d make progress. Other days it felt like nothing clicked. And then, out of nowhere, I’d have a moment where it all made sense. A lightbulb went off. Suddenly, I understood something in a deeper way. That “aha” moment would launch me forward in a way no daily grind ever could.
This isn’t just how I learned ukulele. It’s also how I’ve learned squash, how to back up a trailer, and how to use a Mac after decades on Windows.
It’s also how we grow when it comes to money.
WHY WE EXPECT A STRAIGHT LINE
Most of us assume that learning happens in a nice, steady curve: put in effort, get results. We think:
More time = more progress
More effort = more reward
But real learning doesn’t usually follow that path. Instead, we often hit long plateaus, followed by sudden breakthroughs.
If we’re expecting constant progress, those plateaus can feel like failure. But they’re not failure. They’re part of the process.
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The Value Compass is designed to help you gain insight into your own values and how they guide your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It can be used to explore your personal goals and motivations, as well as to gain a better understanding of others' values and how they may differ from your own. |
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STICK WITH IT
This is where a lot of people give up. When you’ve been practicing, trying, doing the work, and it feels like nothing’s happening, it’s tempting to walk away.
But what if you’re closer to a breakthrough than you think?
Sticking with something when it feels stagnant is hard. But sometimes, just around the corner, something clicks—and you’re suddenly at the next level.
I’m not saying it’s always a flat line before a breakthrough. Sometimes you make slow, steady gains. Sometimes it feels like you’re backsliding. Sometimes it gets messier before it gets clearer.
But underneath the surface, your brain is making connections. Your understanding is deepening. The dots are starting to line up. Eventually, that invisible progress becomes visible.
When it comes to money—or anything that matters—learning takes time. Whether you’re working on new habits, trying to make a change, or just figuring things out… give yourself some grace.
Progress often happens in leaps, not steps. And your next leap might be closer than you think.
You get one life; live intentionally.
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REFERENCES AND INFLUENCES
Adams, Scott: How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
Clear, James: Atomic Habits
Fogg, B.J.: Tiny Habits
