Last weekend, I did what I always do this time of year…
I got a little over-enthusiastic in the garden.
If you’ve ever planted from seed — or even just let a few “volunteer” tomatoes pop up where they pleased — you know the moment I’m talking about.
Everything starts sprouting.
Tiny green shoots. New life everywhere. It feels like progress. Like possibility.
And then comes the part where you’re supposed to thin things out.
Decide what stays. What gets more space. What gets moved somewhere “better.”
And every year, without fail, I look at a few of those little seedlings and think, “Oh, I’ll just move this one…”
It seems harmless. Helpful, even.
More space. Better placement. More room to grow.
So I carefully dig it up, relocate it, water it … and wait.
Sometimes it’s fine.
But sometimes, it struggles.
The leaves droop. Growth slows. And occasionally … it just doesn’t make it.
And every time that happens, I have the same realization:
It wasn’t that the plant was weak. It just wasn’t ready.
And that right there?
That’s exactly what happens in our businesses.
When Growth Is Already Happening
Right now — if you’re anything like most of the women I work with — you’re starting to see signs of momentum.
Nothing huge or dramatic.
But enough to notice.
Maybe things are clicking a little more easily. You’re getting responses, traction, engagement. Or maybe your workflow feels smoother in places.
Your business isn’t chaotic anymore.
It’s … growing.
And right on cue, your brain goes:
👉 “Okay … how do I build on this?”
👉 “What should I do next?”
👉 “How do I grow this faster?”
Which sounds smart. Strategic. Responsible, even.
But here’s the part we don’t always stop to consider:
Not all growth needs to be accelerated.
Some of it just needs to be allowed.
What’s the difference between natural growth and forced growth in a business?
Natural growth in a business feels steady and sustainable, with small signs of progress building over time. Forced growth tends to feel rushed and effort-heavy, often driven by urgency rather than readiness. While both can look like progress, only natural growth creates lasting momentum.
Growth That’s Working vs Growth That’s Forced
Let’s make this really clear — because this distinction changes everything.
Growth That’s Working
This kind of growth:
- Feels steady, even if it’s slow
- Shows small, repeatable signs of progress
- Builds without constant pushing
- Has a sense of ease or flow (even if it still takes effort)
It might not feel impressive yet.
But it’s consistent.
Reliable.
Alive.
Growth That’s Forced
This kind of growth feels very different:
- It’s rushed or reactive
- It requires constant effort just to maintain
- It often comes from urgency (“I need to capitalize on this!”)
- It adds complexity faster than capacity
It can look like progress on the outside …
… but underneath, it’s unstable.
Like a seedling pulled up before its roots are ready.
Why We Try to Force Growth
This isn’t because you’re doing anything wrong.
It’s because of what we talked about last week — why women entrepreneurs overthink what’s already working (and end up fixing what isn’t broken).
We don’t always trust what’s working.
So when something is working, we feel this subtle pressure to maximize it, expand it, or “take advantage of the momentum” before it disappears.
There’s this quiet fear:
“What if this is my chance … and I don’t act fast enough?”
So we move the plant. We force the growth.
Before it’s ready.
What Forced Growth Looks Like in Real Life
This shows up in ways that feel very familiar:
- Adding new offers before your current one is stable
- Changing your messaging right when it starts resonating
- Increasing your workload before your systems can support it
- Saying yes to more visibility than your capacity can hold
None of these are “bad” decisions on their own.
They’re just … too early.
And early, in this case, creates strain.
What to Do Instead: How to Respond with Intention
This is where we shift from reacting to responding with intention.
Shift from reacting to responding with intention.
Not by doing more.
But by doing less — more wisely.
Here’s how …
1. Notice Where Growth Feels Natural
Where are things already gaining traction?
Where does effort feel productive instead of draining?
Where are results showing up — even in small ways?
That’s your “established root system.”
2. Resist the Urge to Accelerate It
This is the hard part.
Because your brain will offer very convincing reasons to “build on it now.”
But ask yourself:
“Is this ready to grow … or am I trying to make it grow faster?”
There’s a difference.
3. Support It Instead of Expanding It
This is your power move.
Instead of adding more …
- refine what’s already working
- keep showing up consistently
- strengthen the foundation
Water it. Don’t replant it.
Back to the Garden
Here’s what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way):
Just because something can be moved …
doesn’t mean it should be.
At least not yet.
Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do for a growing plant …
is leave it exactly where it is.
Give it time.
Let the roots deepen.
Let it stabilize before asking it to do more.
And your business?
It’s no different.
This Week’s Action Step
Take a few quiet minutes and ask yourself:
Where in my business is growth already happening naturally?
Then choose one area …
and make a simple decision:
“I’m not going to interfere with this right now.”
No expanding. No fixing. And no accelerating.
Just support.
Consistency.
Trust.
💛 A Little Extra Support (If You Want It)
This is exactly where the What’s Working Right Now Tracker (April’s Mini Power Tool for Tenacious WFH Entrepreneur premium subscribers) becomes so powerful.
It helps you see what’s already gaining traction … so you don’t accidentally disrupt it by doing too much, too soon.
If you’re an Insider or VIP, you already have access — and this is a great week to come back to it before making any changes.
If not, you can join us anytime and get access to this month’s tool along with the full Mini Power Tool library.
One Last Thought to Carry With You
Not all growth needs your intervention.
Some of it just needs your patience.
And sometimes …
the most productive thing you can do … is to let something keep growing exactly as it is.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about growth that’s working vs forced growth …
Forced growth happens when you try to expand your business before it’s ready. It often comes from urgency or fear and requires constant effort to maintain, rather than building naturally from stable momentum.
Sustainable growth feels steady and repeatable. You’ll notice consistent results, manageable workload, and a sense that your systems and capacity can support what’s happening without strain.
Growth can feel harder when you’re pushing for expansion too quickly. Adding complexity before your foundation is stable can create unnecessary effort and make progress feel more difficult than it needs to be.
Not at all. Wanting growth is natural. The key is timing. When growth is supported by strong foundations, it expands more easily. When rushed, it can create instability and slow you down in the long run.
Scaling too quickly can lead to overwhelm, inconsistent results, and systems that can’t keep up. It often requires more effort to maintain and can disrupt momentum instead of strengthening it.
Focus on consistency, clarity, and strengthening what’s already working. Instead of adding more, refine your current processes and allow your results to build naturally over time.
Pause before making changes. Look at the evidence of what’s working, continue supporting it, and avoid adding complexity too soon. Growth often needs time and consistency more than expansion.