Personal growth is a waste of time.
Most personal growth is sophisticated procrastination.
And before you dismiss this as career suicide for a coach, hear me out.
I’ve worked with countless high-achieving leaders, entrepreneurs, and coaches—people obsessed with getting better, optimizing everything, and constantly pushing for the next level of success.
And yet, many of them feel stuck, despite all the books, podcasts, retreats, and self-improvement rabbit holes they’ve gone down.
Why? Because personal growth, as many people pursue it, is a complete waste of time.
Here’s why:
1. You’re Using Growth as a Distraction
I see this all the time: leaders who devour content on leadership, communication, or emotional intelligence but avoid making the uncomfortable decisions right in front of them. They believe if they just learn one more thing, they’ll finally be ready.
They won’t.
Do they really need more evidence that what they’re currently doing isn’t working?
Growth isn’t about hoarding knowledge—it’s about acting on what you already know.
What would change if you stopped preparing to be better and just showed up as the leader you already know you need to be?
2. “Breakthroughs” Don’t Change Anything
People chase epiphanies. That aha! moment in a book, a coaching session, or a weekend retreat that shifts their entire worldview. It feels powerful. It feels like change.
But then… nothing happens.
Because insight without action is just mental entertainment.
It’s like having a gym membership that you never use – comforting, but useless.
If a breakthrough doesn’t lead to a difficult conversation, a new behavior, or a tangible risk, it’s just intellectual self-soothing.
What’s the last insight you had that actually changed how you operate?
3. Growth Becomes an Excuse for Inaction
Many high achievers love personal growth because it gives them a reason to delay hard decisions.
They’ll launch the business once they feel ready.
They’ll hire a coach once things slow down.
They’ll set boundaries once they’ve worked through their fears.
Growth isn’t the goal. Action is.
So, is personal growth always a waste of time?
No.
But the way many people approach it—passively consuming, chasing epiphanies, and delaying action—absolutely is.
The real question isn’t “How can I grow?” but “What am I avoiding?”
And that’s where the real transformation begins.
So, what’s something you already know you need to do—but haven’t?
What if you did it today?
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