Life Is a Sine Wave

When you start something new, like a job, a project, or joining a team, it’s often exciting. The thrill of novelty pushes you to dive headfirst into the endeavor.

But as you get into it, you find that it’s hard. You face many challenges, there’s much you don’t know, and things move slowly.

You might feel like an imposter but you shouldn’t.

Here’s why:

Life Is a Sine Wave

Each time we start something new, it follows a pattern — almost as predictable as a sine wave.

We start with excitement. As we dive in, we find challenges. But we keep going, learn, and reach our goals. Then we start something new, feel excited again, and face more challenges. This cycle is part of trying new things and gaining experience.

This repeating sequence of trials may seem daunting, but it’s crucial to embrace these upheavals.

Growth only happens outside your comfort zone.

Does this imply that we’re doomed to an eternal rollercoaster of soaring hope and plummeting despair?

In many ways yes, that’s the cycle of growth. But we can still make the peaks longer and the valleys shorter.

Here’s how:

1. Remind yourself of the sine wave cycle: When the going gets tough, recall that each valley inevitably leads to a peak.
2. Embrace and confront your weaknesses: Don’t shy away from seeking help, asking questions, and researching. Remember, we’re all trying to figure things out as we go.
3. Break down seemingly insurmountable tasks: If the valley appears too steep, try dividing the challenge into digestible segments. We all bite off more than we can chew at times. The key is to adjust, change course, and have another go.

The brighter side of the story is that as you navigate this cycle repeatedly, you grow accustomed to its rhythm. The initial thrill transforms into achievement, and despair dwindles into mere discomfort.

Seeing the Big Picture: The Career Trajectory Chart

The sine wave cycle is just part of the story. If we look at the big picture, we see growth over time:

As you go through the cycles, you gain experience. This experience helps you grow in your career.

You Got This

This sine wave analogy can act as your compass during tumultuous times.

Don’t be afraid to try new things and face challenges.

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PS: What If I Don’t Step Outside My Comfort Zone?

If you avoid challenges, you won’t have as many ups and downs. But your growth will be slower.

If you don’t push yourself, you might plateau. In a field like tech, if you stop learning, you’ll likely find yourself in trouble when technology moves forward and you haven’t kept up.

Final Thoughts

Life, with its array of ups and downs, presents you with numerous opportunities. It’s up to you to make the best of it.

Venture beyond your comfort zone and embrace new challenges – remarkable things often unfold when we dare to stretch our boundaries.

Remember, you are strong and can overcome any obstacles. Have faith in yourself, and don’t hesitate to pursue your ambitions.

Trust me, you’ve got this! 💪

This post was originally published on July 23, 2023

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