The Two Roads to Growth: Which One Will You Walk?

 The Two Roads to Growth: Which One Will You Walk?

There is a saying that growth comes with pain, and another that pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice. Some paths to growth are well-trodden—laid by those who endured the pain and refused to suffer. These paths are safe to follow if we do what our predecessors did. However, they are crowded, so our progress may be slow. But if we choose to forge our own way—with no proven models, processes, or standard operating procedures—we face a real challenge. Yet once we succeed, we gain not only a unique model but also powerful stories to inspire others.

In the world, one group of people believes in copying others to stay on the safer side. That is their definition of growth, and it deserves respect. Another group believes in creating something entirely new and is willing to embrace the pain of originality. That, too, is a valid definition of growth and also deserves respect.

Consider the entrepreneur who replicates a successful business model in an underserved market—she grows by adapting what works. Consider the artist who invents a new style, facing years of rejection before being celebrated—he grows by persisting through uncertainty. Both are moving forward. Both are growing.

Ultimately, it does not matter whether we copy or create. What matters is that we are actively running on the growth path. Are we constantly pushing ourselves, trying hard, and waking up with a clear purpose? That is far more important and meaningful than fearing the pain of growth or worrying about suffering in our minds.

There is an old saying: "The early bird catches the prey." But in reality, most birds must hunt persistently—prey rarely falls directly into their mouths. Similarly, those who act early—whether by copying a successful model before others do or by experimenting with something new—gain an initial advantage. But they must also persevere. The real early bird is not the one who simply wakes up first; it is the one who keeps flying, adjusting, and trying again until success comes.

If you are undergoing growth pain and have already started moving, you are that early bird. Just keep moving, growing, and evolving. Flowing water remains safe to drink, while stagnant water breeds dirt and insects. In life, people with a growth mindset stay resilient when unprecedented change occurs. Those who wait for external miracles—for the perfect opportunity, the right mentor, or sheer luck—remain stagnant. They attract nothing but frustration and missed chances.

So, whether you follow a map or draw your own, just keep moving. The only real failure is standing still. Choose your pain, embrace your path, and become the flowing water that refreshes itself and the world around it. Your growth is not defined by how you start, but by the fact that you never stop.

M.L. Narendra Kumar