You Think You're Growing? Think Again – You Might Be Trapped!

The dangerous myth of 'solo growth'', why does your circle define your success?

Author

Glenda Carnate
July 14, 2025

Read time: 2.5 minutes

You've been hustling... reading the books, taking the courses, setting bigger goals. But lately, something feels off. Your wins get awkward nods instead of high-fives. Your ideas are brushed off as "too much." And that fire inside you? It's starting to flicker.

Here's the hard truth: If you're the only one growing, you're not in a circle; you're in a cage. And the bars are built from other people's comfort zones.

Why Your Environment Might Be Holding You Back? (Without You Even Realizing)

Neuroscience shows that we're wired to mirror the people around us. Your brain literally starts syncing with your closest circle.

A study in neuroscience suggests that humans tend to unconsciously adopt the habits, attitudes, and even physical health behaviors of those around them due to processes involving neural mirroring and social conformity.  (Source: PositivePsychology)

Stanford researchers found that your social environment can directly impact your motivation and resilience. When you're surrounded by growth-minded people, your chances of persevering and achieving your goals go way up. (Source: Stanford Report)

Signs Your Circle Might Be Capping Your Growth:

  • Crabs in a Bucket Effect: Every time you share a new goal, you get responses like "Why take the risk?" or "That's not how things work here."

  • Emotional Labor Drain: You're always the one playing therapist to the same problems, but no one's actually changing.

  • The Silence After Success: You hit a major milestone... and it's met with radio silence or a passive-aggressive "Must be nice."

How to Upgrade Your Circle? (Without the Guilt)

  1. The 5-Person Rule: You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Audit your circle. Are they curious? Do they take action? If not, it may be time to diversify your inner circle.

  2. Seek Edge Dwellers: Find people who make you slightly uncomfortable, because they're ahead of you. Join industry groups, attend workshops, or dive into communities where growth is the baseline.

  3. Become a Bridge: If leaving isn't an option (yet), be the catalyst. Share resources. Ask better questions. And set clear boundaries between venting and problem-solving.

The Tough Part About Growth:

Growth requires friction. If everyone around you always agrees, you're not in a circle... you're in an echo chamber.

Fundamental transformation happens when you're challenged, not just cheered.

👉 Don’t wait for your environment to change, start with your inputs. Subscribe now and rewire your circle from the inside out.

👉 Your growth isn't accidental, neither should your feed be. Follow Glenda Carnate for bold, no-fluff insights.

👉 What’s one goal you’ve held back on because of your current circle? COMMENT below. Let’s talk.

👉 Know someone who feels stuck in the wrong circle? Share this before they give up on their growth.

Reply

or to participate.