Happy New Year.
A new year has a funny way of doing two things at once:
It gives us fresh optimism and at the same time instantly raises the bar.
New goals.
Higher expectations.
Bigger visions of who we’re supposed to be by the end of this year.
On the surface, that’s correct, that feels like growth, and even in some cases it’s growth. It’s growth for some just having that vision and inspiration is that spark that’s needed.
However, as with most things, there’s some nuance/context to that. There’s a somewhat hidden side effect.
Growth creates dissatisfaction, even when things are going well.
When Progress Starts Feeling Like Failure
Let me elaborate on that context and nuance:
As your competence increases, your standards rise even faster.
What used to impress you now feels average.
What once felt like a win now feels like the bare minimum.
What would’ve made you proud last year barely registers today.
Objectively, you’re improving.
Subjectively, it can start to feel like you’re behind.
That gap between where you are and where you think you should be, that is where frustration lives. The more capable you become, the wider that gap can feel.
This is expectation inflation.
If you’re not aware of it, it can quietly steal your satisfaction.
I’ll give a quick basketball example. Something as simple as free throws. At one point it was just a struggle to make them, then it became the struggle to make them consistently, then came the struggle to make them consecutively, then came the struggle of not enough swishes within the consecutive makes. As you get better the standards and expectations rise with it. Now you're done with a good shooting session where you made 90% of your shots but are upset because the last one wasn’t a swish.
The Balance Most People Miss
The goal isn’t to lower your standards. Never that.
It’s also definitely not to abandon that ambition.
The real challenge (the sweet spot so to speak) is learning how to hold three truths at the same time:
Be content with where you are
Give yourself proper credit for how far you’ve come
Still aspire to do and be better in the future
That balance is rare (yes I know, I’m talking about balance again), but it’s powerful.
Without contentment, ambition turns toxic.
Without ambition, contentment turns stagnant.
We need both.
A Better Way to Start the Year
Last year taught you more than you think. Even if it felt messy. Even if it felt like two steps forward, one step back. Even if it felt slower than expected.
Progress isn’t erased just because your standards moved.
Growth doesn’t disappear just because your expectations have evolved.
So as we step into this new year, let’s do something different.
Take inventory of what you learned.
Respect the work you put in.
Acknowledge how far you’ve come, even if it doesn’t feel like much yet.
Then look forward with optimism.
Move with composure.
Most importantly commit the consistency and to the work required to close that gap over time.
Not all at once.
Just one honest day at a time.
Start the Year the OGM Way
If you’re new here, or if you’ve been reading quietly for a while, this is your sign.
Start the year off right.
Join a community that values progress and perspective.
Ambition and balance.
Growth without burnout.
Subscribe to The OG Millennial Newsletter and let’s build this year with clarity, consistency, and a little bit of fun along the way.
Growth should raise your standards, not rob you of your peace.