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Since I first learned about these keys, I’ve applied them to all domains of my life.
It’s held true in my physical health, meditation practice, development as a clinician, and in deepening relationships. It’s also held true with my clients.
It’s simple: there are three essential components to making sustainable progress.
When we have these three components, we grow, learn, and develop. When we don’t, we get distracted, discouraged, or stagnant.
When any one is lacking, the other two falter. When all three are present, we evolve.
Before I explain them, think of something in your life that you really want to deepen into. What are your priorities? It might be your movement practice, your business, or your intimate relationship. Be honest with yourself—not everything is a priority right now.
Keep that thing in mind as you read on.
The three components to sustainable growth are regular practice, accountability, and periodic immersions.
1. Regular Practice—Everything is a trainable skill.
Your practice needs to be alive in you. For that to happen you have to visit it regularly with intention and repetition. This develops the groove where you grow in the practice and the practice shapes you.
2. Accountability—Inspiration, support and guidance.
We need this in two forms: community and personal instruction.
Community inspires and supports us. The Buddha himself said that wise association (Sangha) was the whole path. We can’t do it alone.
Perhaps, we need a coach. A skilled guide that can compassionately point out what we’re missing, nudge us in the right direction, and correct poor habits before they derail us are indispensable for growth.
3. Periodic Immersions—Deep dives and breakthroughs.
There is something essential in breaking from your normal routine and diving deep into another world. It releases you from distractions, breaks you from who you think you are, and allows you to make quantum leaps of progress that simply aren’t available within the confines of our normal world.
There was a period of my life where it was the utmost priority for me to grow as a dancer and movement artist. Learning to move in new ways literally remodels your brain. Learning hip hop dance was one of the most transformative adventures of my life (alongside learning a second language).
During this time I had all three components:
1. I trained daily, even if it was only for a few minutes. Then the groove became a part of me.
2. I regularly attended classes and meetups with my dance community. I developed relationships with instructors who taught, challenged, and inspired me.
3. I periodically took dance workshops, immersions, or went out to festivals. These experiences were quantum leaps in my skill in and passion for the movement arts.
With all three of these in place I developed rapidly and sustainably. Not only that, it was fun. And the joy of this practice uplifted all the other parts of my life. That’s how our passions should be.
What about you?
Do you have all three of these keys? If something is truly a priority for you, then do everything in your power to create all three. If the thought of making those commitments doesn’t enliven you, then be honest with yourself—that thing is probably not a priority right now.
Revisit this model regularly. If you feel stagnant, then it’s likely you are out of balance. Identify which one has faltered and invest energy in it. Creating balance will re-ignite your passion and jump start your progress.
This is the model that I use to make sure my clients have the structure they need for sustainable growth, healing, and transformation. Whether it’s in health, business, relationships, or spirituality, you can apply this model too so that you have all the conditions for inspiration, growth, and thriving.
Here’s to realizing your potential.
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