Embracing the Learning Curve – Evolution Over Revolution
I want to share a story about a journey—a journey marked by steep learning curves, unexpected challenges, and transformational growth. It’s about the evolution from a simple desire to share wisdom and knowledge with the world to the complex reality of starting a business, learning to coach, and mastering the art of the Double-Win: winning at work and succeeding in life.
The road hasn’t been easy. Like many, I’ve been tempted by quick fixes and easy answers, only to find they lead to overwhelm, frustration, and quitting. But through it all, I’ve learned one critical truth: lasting change isn’t about dramatic revolutions. It’s about steady evolution. And it’s about asking for help.
Today, I’ll walk you through this journey, share how I embraced the process, and highlight how asking for help can flatten the steepest of learning curves.
The Journey Begins: From Dream to Reality
This journey started with a dream—to create digital courses and share my knowledge with others. Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy (DCA) seemed like the perfect launchpad. I dove in headfirst, determined to make it work. But after two or three false starts, I realized something important: I needed to build a business to achieve this dream.
Starting a business meant more than I signed up for—marketing, budgets, and legalities that felt overwhelming. I told myself, “Just create content, figure out Internet marketing, and worry about the legal stuff when the money comes in.” It seemed like a solid plan until life threw me a curveball.
A Wake-Up Call and the Search for Focus
One night, I found myself in the emergency room, convinced I was having a stroke. The diagnosis? A TIA or transient ischemic attack—essentially a mini-stroke, or so I have been told. Looking back, I believe it was a panic attack. It was a wake-up call, forcing me to reevaluate everything.
That’s when I hired a coach. I thought coaching would help me focus on my business, but it did so much more. My coach challenged me to focus on my health, find a hobby, and step out of my house—all while building a business. At first, it felt counterintuitive. Shouldn’t focus mean doing fewer things?
Instead, I discovered the power of the Double-Win: finding success in both work and life without sacrificing one for the other. This mindset shift was revolutionary. I realized life isn’t black (work) or white (life); it’s the gray in between.
Discovering Coaching as a Calling
Around this time, Amy launched her DCA Restart program, designed for people like me who had started but felt stuck. One of her suggestions was to consider coaching as a side hustle while developing a digital course.
That was my lightbulb moment.
I had been creating course content filled with deep insights and thought-provoking questions, but something was missing. I craved dialogue and discussion—an environment where students could think, ask questions, and grow comfortable with discomfort. Coaching provided the perfect platform to share my wisdom and knowledge in a meaningful, interactive way.
But to become a coach, I needed to understand the Double-Win better, learn how to coach effectively, and build a business. It was a tall order, but I knew it was the right path.
Embracing the Process: Service to your Future Self
Through this journey, I’ve come to understand that real growth isn’t about dramatic, overnight transformations. It’s about steady, persistent evolution—what I call Service to your Future Self.
Michael Hyatt’s book Freedom to Focus taught me that achieving the Double-Win requires clarity, intentionality, and the humility to ask for help. Trying to go it alone leads to burnout and frustration. But when you seek guidance, the overwhelming learning curve becomes manageable.
For me, this meant:
- Becoming a Full Focus Certified Pro will help me gain in-depth knowledge of Double-Win.
- Enrolling in Donald Miller’s CoachBuilder program to learn how to coach.
- Earning the Small Business Flight Plan Certification to help set up my business.
- Hiring a fractional chief marketing officer to master Internet marketing.
Each of these steps requires time, effort, and investment. But they also lightened my load, flattened my learning curve, and allowed me to focus on what truly matters.
The Importance of Asking for Help
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of asking for help. Whether hiring a coach, enrolling in a program, or seeking expert advice, asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strategic decision that accelerates growth and makes the journey less daunting.
Micheal emphasizes this in Freedom to Focus. He reminds us that no one achieves the Double-Win alone. Success is a team sport. By surrounding yourself with the right people and resources, you honor both your Present Self and Future Self.
What This Means for You
If you’re facing a steep learning curve—starting a business, learning a new skill, or navigating a major life change—remember this: the journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here’s how you can embrace evolution over revolution:
- Focus on the Process: Accept that growth takes time and consistent effort.
- Invest in Yourself: Seek out programs, books, and resources that align with your goals.
- Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to hire a coach, join a community, or consult an expert.
- Practice Service to your Future Self: Show up every day with intention and persistence.
Evolution, Not Revolution
The journey to sharing my wisdom and knowledge has been anything but linear. It’s been marked by challenges, growth, and countless lessons. But through it all, I’ve learned that lasting change doesn’t come from quick fixes or dramatic revolutions. It comes from steady evolution, consistent effort, and the courage to ask for help.
Your path may be different, but the principles remain the same. By embracing the process, seeking guidance, and staying committed to your Future Self, you can flatten the learning curve and create a life where you win at work and succeed in life.
Show up today and every day with persistence and intention. Your Future Self will thank you for the gifts of patience, wisdom, and progress.