Things Aren't Falling Apart. They're Falling into Place.

We’re conditioned to think that growth feels good, that clarity arrives in clean lines, and that progress comes with a sense of ease.

But that's not always true.

More often than not, growth feels like discomfort.

Friction. Doubt. Resistance.

And yet, that’s not a sign that something is wrong. It’s often the most accurate signal that something important is happening.

I’ve worked with many leaders. Some were running billion-dollar operations, others rebuilding their paths from scratch, and I’ve seen the same pattern. When you're on the edge of real transformation, it rarely feels like inspiration.

It feels like tension.

Like something is coming undone.

But I’ve come to believe that discomfort is not a disruption to your growth. It is your growth. The part that doesn’t make it into the highlight reels. The part that shapes you before the results catch up.

When we hit a season where nothing feels clear, it’s tempting to treat it like a problem to fix. But what if that discomfort is the body’s way of telling us we’ve outgrown the current context? The system, the strategy, even the identity we’ve been relying on.

This is especially true if you’re ambitious and used to performing at a high level. You’ve likely developed a strong ability to navigate complexity, deliver results, and hold it together. So when discomfort shows up, it feels like it's undermining your credibility or control.

Here’s the invitation for you.

Stop treating discomfort as a threat and start treating it as data.

That restless tension might be pointing to the gap between what’s working and what’s true. The friction might not be telling you to slow down, but to shift direction. And that unease? It could be your leadership stretching to hold something more aligned, more honest, more powerful.

Try This Framework

If you’re in a season of stretch, here are three questions worth reflecting on:

1. Where do I feel the most discomfort right now?​ Don’t judge it. Just name it.

2. What story am I telling myself about why that discomfort exists?​ Is it about failure, rejection, lack of clarity, or evolution?

3. What might this discomfort be trying to prepare me for?​ Not what it’s taking away but what it’s making space for.

You don’t have to solve everything this week. But noticing what’s surfacing puts you in a position of choice, not just reaction.

Some New Reads That You Might Enjoy

📚 The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky: Growth isn’t linear, and Belsky doesn’t pretend it is. This book is a practical and honest look at the unpredictable, uncomfortable, make-or-break middle of any bold pursuit. If you’re in a stretch season, this one will remind you that the mess is where the magic is. Grab the book here.

📖 The Beauty of Discomfort by Amanda Lang: This insightful book delves into how embracing discomfort can lead to personal and professional growth. Lang combines research and real-life stories to illustrate how stepping outside our comfort zones is essential for innovation and success. Here's a link to the book.

Final Thoughts

Growth doesn’t always roar in. Sometimes, it shows up disguised as frustration, awkwardness, or even grief.

But every time I’ve followed that thread, instead of avoiding it, I’ve landed somewhere more aligned, honest, and impactful than I could have planned.

Here’s to the path that stretches us. Because it also strengthens us.

See you next week,

​ ​Megan

🎟️ Live Masterclass on August 6th

Join me for a live 90-minute masterclass to help high performers reset their direction, reconnect with purpose, and walk away with a practical tool to clarify what’s next.

Wednesday, August 6 at 5:00 PM PT / Thursday August 7 at 10:00 AM AEST

📍 Live on Google Meet Includes workbook + 14-day replay access

Register Now for the Masterclass Ticket

Register Now for the Clarity Package (Ticket + 20-minute 1:1 Clarity Session with Megan)

Is This You?

You’ve checked all the boxes.

✅ The title.

✅ The success.

✅ The track record.

But something feels off. You’ve outgrown the old story. But the next chapter isn’t clear yet.

This masterclass is for exactly that moment.

What You'll Walk Away With

In just 90 minutes, you’ll:

✔ Learn a framework to clarify what’s next

✔ Understand the 3 misalignment traps that keep high performers stuck

✔ Create a personal narrative you can use immediately: in interviews, bios, and boardrooms

✔ Reconnect with what success feels like, not just what it looks like

Who This Is For

This session is for you if:

✔ You’re successful on paper, but unsure what’s next

✔ You’re in a leadership or career pivot moment

✔ You want tools, not theory

✔ You’re ready to stop spinning and start designing

Wednesday, August 6 at 5:00 PM PT / Thursday August 7 at 10:00 AM AEST

📍 Live on Google Meet Includes workbook + 14-day replay access

Register Now for the Masterclass Ticket

Register Now for the Clarity Package (Ticket + 20-minute 1:1 Clarity Session with Megan)

Want to bring this to your team? DM Dr. Megan Tranter to inquire about group access.