On Exponential Growth

It’s striking how much a single graph can hold — the cyclical nature of events, the swings of financial markets, the rhythms of our biochemistry. The one I keep coming back to is the comparison between linear and exponential growth, and how that same logic applies to our own development: whether we’re cultivating our strongest qualities or trying to shore up our weakest ones.

What’s the point? If you look at the patterns that come right before explosive growth — the kind that delivers truly phenomenal results — you find the flywheel effect everywhere: first a slow, almost invisible accumulation; then faster and faster; and finally a sharp, soaring takeoff. That kind of growth is only possible where the inertia has already been built. Without that foundation — a flat line. Yes, it climbs, but there’s no breakthrough.

This principle is a perfect lens for how we treat our own abilities. If, as we’re so often advised, we pour all our energy (and it’s finite per unit of time) into leveling up our weak sides — sure, we’ll improve them. But it’ll be linear development, nothing more. Why? Because in that area we have no natural groundwork laid for a leap. We’re sitting far down the curve, nowhere near the point where it turns vertical. Could that groundwork form? In theory, yes. When? No telling. Are there exceptions? Of course — but you can count them on one hand across all of history.

Our strengths are a different story entirely — our innate predispositions. Aim the focus there, and the real exponential growth becomes possible. A handful of key qualities can climb to heights others can’t reach, and produce genuinely outstanding results. This, from what I’ve seen, is the path of many successful people.

Think about it: you’ve almost certainly met wealthy, well-known, influential people who seem naive — even clueless — about anything outside their narrow zone of competence. And the question comes up: “How can that be? Such success, and yet such gaps in the basics.” The answer is simple. They didn’t spend their resources developing a little of everything, evenly. They bet on their strengths — and that’s exactly what shot them into space.

Here’s to finding our innate inclinations and growing them exponentially! 😎