When My Leader Went to Jail: Lessons in Uncertainty

Recently, a memory resurfaced—one that I hadn’t thought about in a long time.

Lately, I’ve been in a season of building, and it feels like a roller coaster. There’s this subtle anxiousness I carry—not tied to any one thing I’ve done, but to the weight of my current circumstances. It comes from insecurities, inexperience, unhealthy expectations of myself, and the fear of what others might think of me in this season. The list goes on.

But what’s interesting is that this feeling is familiar. The situation is completely different, but I remember feeling this exact way when my leader went to jail.

A Season of Uncertainty

Years ago, I was in ministry when my leader was arrested. I’ll spare you the details, but it was a devastating blow—to me and to everyone involved. Outwardly, I tried to stay optimistic. Inwardly, it was one of the heaviest challenges I had ever faced.

It wasn’t just my own internal struggle. I felt the scrutiny of others questioning my integrity and the weight of expectations to be a voice of reason for those still in the ministry. Every single morning—without fail—I would wake up and go to our warehouse to pray. I’d put the song Oceans by Hillsong United on repeat for hours, just trying to find a sense of peace before starting my day.

Did the peace come? I don’t know. I still felt anxious. But it helped me make the decision to show up that day. And that’s when the phrase One Day at a Time became branded in my mind—because that’s all I could do.

A New Season, The Same Feelings

Now, years later, I find myself in a completely different situation, yet facing the same emotions. The challenge now? Building my business.

Just like before, I feel the weight of responsibility—not just for myself, but for those who believe in the vision. Some days, it feels like things are moving forward. Other days, I question everything.

Why? Because:

1. I’m realizing—again—how little control I actually have.

2. My leadership gaps are being exposed at an accelerated rate.

3. It’s hard to stay optimistic for myself and for others.

4. Each day feels like a roller coaster—the waves of emotion are exhausting.

5. I’m scared for the future.

But there’s one thing that’s different between then and now.

Back then, I was anchored to someone else’s vision. Now, I have a vision for my life.

Finding Clarity in the Chaos

When I left the ministry, I went on a journey to discover who I wanted to be. It was one of the most fruitful exercises I have ever done. It took years to develop, and I’m still refining it. But that’s the beauty of vision—it’s always evolving.

Back then, I was just trying to survive each day. Now, even though I still feel the weight of uncertainty, I’m not banking on one thing working out. I know who I want to be, and I’m committed to becoming that person—no matter what.

That’s the difference.

Who I’m becoming is more important than what I accomplish.

So when turbulent seasons come, even though I face the same mental and emotional challenges, I know where I’m going. And that reminds me to keep growing.

Encouragement

If you’re in a season of uncertainty, I get it. It’s uncomfortable. It’s exhausting. It’s scary. But when you have a vision for your life, you don’t have to rely on circumstances to keep you moving forward.

Keep showing up. Keep growing.

One day at a time. 💯

Case Study: Sarah Lampley’s Path of Transformation

Growth is not just about doing—it's about becoming. And if anyone makes that a reality day in and day out, it's Sarah Lampley. With an astonishing 712 activities recorded (in a 40 day period) and a high 95.06% activity completion rate, she's proof that small, intentional steps equal massive transformation.

A Glimpse into Sarah’s Life

Sarah is a devoted wife to Lewis and a loving mother to her three sons: Lewis Jr. (Jordan), London, and Leo. She is deeply anchored in her relationship for Jesus, which permeates all areas of her life, from parenting to ministry in church and community.

Sarah has inspired the Growdie community for over a month now. Why? She doesn't just talk about growth—she lives it. She invests in herself so she can pour into others, and her Growdie journey is proof of that.

Sarah’s Growth Journey in Growdie

Sarah’s dedication is evident through her impressive metrics:

✅ Total Activities Logged: 712

✅ Overall Completion Rate: 95.06%

✅ Priorities Completed: 100% (395 logs)

✅ Habits Completed: 88.89% (296 logs)

✅ Challenges Completed: 100% (21 logs)

🔥 Total Points: 16,880

Her activity breakdown reflects her holistic approach to growth and living with intention:

• Health & Fitness (223 activities): Taking care of her body through movement, nourishment, and rest so she has the energy to live fully and serve others well.

• Personal Development (159 activities): Learning, reflecting, and challenging herself to grow into the person she’s meant to be.

• People Development (149 activities): Investing in deep, meaningful relationships and creating a strong, supportive community.

• Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health (139 activities): Strengthening her faith, building resilience, and caring for her inner well-being.

• Professional Development (23 activities): Sharpening her skills, expanding her knowledge, and taking steps toward her long-term vision.

• Play/Experiential (17 activities): Engaging in joy-filled experiences that bring fun, creativity, and adventure into her life.

• Financial Health (2 activities): Managing money wisely so she can live with freedom, generosity, and stewardship.

How Does She Spend Her Time?

Sarah doesn’t just set goals—she lives intentionally. Here's a glimpse at her top 10 activities and why they fuel her growth:

1️⃣ Calling her parents/grandparents for 10+ minutes (48 logs)

Sarah deeply values family roots. She once journaled about a walk with her dad, cherishing how even a simple morning coffee turned into a lifelong memory.

2️⃣ Setting aside 5+ minutes for prayer/meditation (33 logs)

Her faith isn’t just a Sunday thing—it’s her daily anchor. She reflected on how “Faith doesn’t require all the answers—just trust in the One leading the dance.”

3️⃣ Reading a passage of Scripture (32 logs)

One of her favorite takeaways? “Victory isn’t found in striving but in abiding in the One who has already overcome (John 16:33).”

4️⃣ Listening to a podcast episode (32 logs)

Sarah is always learning. She once mentioned how a single audiobook opened her eyes to the injustices faced by the Mirabal Sisters—reminding her of the power of courage and resilience.

5️⃣ Walking 10,000 steps a day (30 logs)

Sarah thrives in movement—whether it’s a sunshine walk, a family stroll, or a quick track session with a friend. It’s more than fitness; it’s a mindset reset.

6️⃣ Checking in with a friend (29 logs)

Sarah nurtures friendships with deep intentionality. She wrote about a divine coffee shop encounter, realizing the woman she had just met was her mentor’s daughter. “God is always weaving things together in ways we don’t expect.”

7️⃣ Working out for 30+ min (28 logs)

Her discipline is next level. Even when pressed for time, she makes sure to “at least get in movement and a good stretch”—knowing momentum is key.

8️⃣ Reading 10+ pages of a book (26 logs)

Sarah believes books change people. One of her most powerful insights? “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

9️⃣ Journaling (25 logs)

For Sarah, journaling isn’t just about writing—it’s about reflection and gratitude. She calls it “pausing to pour”—a quiet moment to see God in the details.

🔟 Drinking 64oz+ of water (24 logs)

Because self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a necessity. And hydration is non-negotiable.

Insights from Sarah’s Growth Journey

Sarah's habits aren't merely items to check off on a list—they're expressions of what she values. Her consistent investment in her well-being, relationships, and faith make her a leader in her own life and the lives of those around her.

💡 She’s deeply rooted in faith – Her relationship with Jesus isn’t about perfection; it’s about abiding.

💡 She builds momentum through consistency – She doesn’t wait for motivation; she creates it.

💡 She understands the power of balance – Her growth isn’t one-dimensional. She’s evolving spiritually, relationally, mentally, and physically.

💡 She takes accountability seriously – Sarah logs, reflects, and adjusts—showing us all that tracking progress fuels long-term success.

What Can We Learn from Sarah?

🔹 Faith as a Foundation – True peace isn’t found in control—it’s found in trust.

🔹 Small Actions Create Big Impact – One call. One prayer. One workout. One book. They all add up.

🔹 Community Matters – Growth isn’t a solo journey—it’s done alongside others.

🔹 The Best Investment You Can Make is in Yourself – When Sarah grows, everyone around her benefits.

She's not just checking off habits—she's showing up for her future self.

Sarah's story is a reminder that growth is not about speed—it's about direction.

She's not only growing—she's flourishing. One step, one call, and one habit at a time. 🧱

Why Growing Alone is Harder

Growth is never a straight line. It’s messy, full of unexpected challenges, and often requires us to push past deeply ingrained beliefs. But one thing is certain: growing alone is much harder than growing with support.

Jorge Padilla’s journey with Growdie over the past month is a perfect example. I’ve seen firsthand the progress he’s made—it’s been incredible. Was it perfect? No. But that’s the point. Growth isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, adjusting, and refusing to quit.

If he had been doing this alone, would he have made it this far? Probably not.

Challenging Excuses & Breaking Old Beliefs

We all have excuses that hold us back—stories we’ve told ourselves for years that keep us from taking action. For Jorge, one of those beliefs was that working out with less than 6-7 hours of sleep would do more harm than good.

When he brought this up, I asked him, “How many times have you slept more than 6 hours and still didn’t work out?” He laughed, realizing the flaw in his thinking. So I said, “This feels more like an excuse. You need to break that now.”

That morning, he almost quit on the treadmill at minute five. But then he thought, “These are the moments to push yourself, to train your mind to do a bit more.” By minute 12, he felt energized.

If he had been doing this alone, who would have challenged him? Who would have pushed him past that excuse? Without accountability, he might have walked away from the treadmill and continued believing that belief for another decade.

Navigating Setbacks Without Losing Momentum

Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Life happens—emergencies, travel, unexpected disruptions. One day, a dental emergency threw Jorge’s entire schedule off. It would have been easy to let it derail him completely. Instead, he reframed it:

"These are the days that can easily throw one out of routine. Your text message was a reminder that I need to be aware that days like these will happen and have a plan to pivot my routine."

If he had been doing this alone, he might have let that setback knock him off course for days, maybe weeks. That’s how most people lose momentum—not because they fail, but because they don’t have a system to help them get back up.

Even after a golf trip, he didn’t just fall off completely—he planned how he’d integrate his priorities and pick things back up when he returned. That level of commitment didn’t happen overnight. It happened because accountability made him aware of the patterns that used to hold him back.

The Power of Accountability & Community

At the start, Jorge was figuring things out on his own. But as the month went on, his level of engagement grew—and so did the support around him. This week, he had a moment that perfectly illustrated how much accountability had become part of his process.

Another Growdie member and I were on a call with him, helping him set up his habits, correct course, and keep his momentum going. He had a mix-up with his Growdie habits and debated whether he should fix it or just move on. At first, it seemed like a small thing. But then he realized:

"Small things matter, and fixing things in the moment is part of the growth process."

If he had been doing this alone, he might have just let it slide. And sure, one small mistake isn’t the end of the world—but those small things add up. That’s the beauty of accountability. Over the course of the month, Jorge went from trying to do everything perfectly in the app to embracing the process, experimenting, and allowing himself to enjoy the journey.

He’s no longer just completing activities—he’s actively engaging with a community that challenges and supports him. And the impact of that has been clear:

"Because of Growdie, I started this week strong and ready to grow."

Why Growing Alone is Harder

The truth is, Jorge had tried growing alone before. He had the same goals, the same knowledge, and the same motivation—but what changed this time was accountability.

Without it, he might have…

• Let old excuses keep him stuck.

• Allowed setbacks to derail his progress.

• Gotten caught in perfectionism instead of taking action.

• Quit on the treadmill that morning instead of proving to himself that he could push through.

But because he wasn’t alone, he kept going.

Final Thoughts

Jorge’s story is proof that growth isn’t about getting everything right the first time—it’s about staying in the game. And that’s the hardest thing to do when you’re on your own.

The real challenge isn’t just forming new habits; it’s learning how to keep going when life gets in the way.

And that’s why growing alone is harder.

Having a community, accountability, and a system that helps you pivot instead of quit? That makes all the difference. 💯

The 3 Biggest Areas of Growth

One of the best things about Growdie is seeing where people are choosing to grow. Every time someone logs an activity, it’s a small but meaningful step toward becoming stronger, wiser, or healthier. And when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, patterns start to emerge.

In February, three focus areas stood out as the most active. These are the areas where people showed up the most, put in the most work, and made the biggest strides. What’s even more interesting? The data lines up with some powerful trends happening in the world right now.

Let’s break it down.

3. Personal Development – 1,258 Activities

Expanding your knowledge, living by your values, and learning continuously.

This one is all about sharpening your mind and leveling up your life. People logged activities like reading, listening to podcasts, and reviewing personal goals, all of which play a huge role in long-term growth.

Why this matters: A 2022 study published in Neurology found that people who stay intellectually engaged through continuous learning and rich social activities build a “cognitive reserve” that helps protect the brain from age-related decline and dementia. (Science Daily)

People are investing in themselves more than ever. The real flex? Becoming the kind of person who never stops learning.

2. Mental, Emotional, & Spiritual Health – 1,978 Activities

Living a mindful and fulfilling life by enhancing cognitive skills, building emotional intelligence, and discovering life’s purpose and meaning.

Growth isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you live each day. Is it healthy and sustainable, or are you running on empty, teetering on the edge of burnout? The fact that nearly 2,000 activities were logged in this area shows that people are prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being. From meditation and journaling to reading scripture and practicing gratitude, these small daily habits add up to something powerful.

Why this matters: A 2022 study found that older adults who engaged in regular self-reflection had better cognitive health and increased brain glucose metabolism, suggesting a reduced risk of dementia. (Neuroscience News)

The connection between mindfulness and mental health is real. The more we take care of our minds, the more we thrive in every other area of life.

1. Health & Fitness – 3,243 Activities

Improving life through exercise, nutrition, and healthy choices.

No surprise here—people are prioritizing their health in a big way. Whether it was hitting the gym, eating better, getting more sleep, or just drinking more water, this category saw the most action by far.

Why this matters: More people than ever are making fitness a core part of their lifestyle. In fact, 70% of millennials in the U.S. participated in fitness activities in 2021, the highest among all demographics. (PT Pioneer)

This isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good, having energy, and being strong enough to take on life. Taking care of your body isn’t a trend; it’s a foundation for everything else.

Beyond the Top 3

The rest of the focus areas still saw plenty of action:

• Professional Development (1,091 activities) – Improving skills, networking, learning new roles, exploring business ideas, and finding ways to earn more.

• People Development (802 activities) – Building meaningful relationships by listening, learning from others, and adding value.

• Financial Health (153 activities) – Managing finances to meet needs and goals through income, budgeting, saving, investing, and planning.

• Play & Experiential (117 activities) – Learning through play, experiences, senses, creativity, and innovation.

The Big Picture

The data tells a clear story: people are showing up for themselves. They’re taking their health seriously, strengthening their minds, and making time for personal growth.

If you’ve been wondering where to focus your energy in March, maybe this is your sign. Find your edge, pick one area, and start stacking wins. The real game isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up every day and growing a little more than you did yesterday. 💯

It’s Not About the Goal—It’s About Who I’m Becoming

I’ve always loved setting goals. There’s something about the process—deciding what I want, mapping out the steps, putting in the work, and finally achieving it—that keeps me motivated. But over time, I’ve realized that as much as I love achieving goals, what I love even more is the person I become because of them.

Goals are just the vehicle. They get us moving, they push us forward, they give us a direction—but the real transformation happens in the process. It’s in the small daily decisions, the challenges we overcome, and the lessons we learn along the way. That’s where the real growth is.

The tricky part? Growth is often hard to see in the moment. You don’t always notice the shift while it’s happening. You might still feel like the same person, even though you’ve been showing up differently. That’s why it’s so important to develop the skill of recognizing your own progress. Because when you can articulate how you’ve grown, it makes it easier to keep going. It gives you something to hold on to when things feel slow or when self-doubt creeps in.

That’s exactly why I created the Grow Every Day framework. It’s a simple way to celebrate the little wins—the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Almost every day, I take a moment to look at one of these charts and reflect. It helps me see where I’m making progress, and it also gives me a way to celebrate growth in the people around me.

Challenge:

Take a moment to reflect on your journey. Look at where you were six months ago, a year ago. What’s different? What have you learned? How have you shown up in a way you wouldn’t have before?

And most importantly—celebrate that. Because no matter where you are on your journey, if you’re committed to growing, you’re already winning.

GROW EVERY DAY FRAMEWORK

GROW IN THE WAY YOU THINK
GROW IN THE WAY YOU TALK WITH OTHERS
GROW IN TH WAY YOU TAKE ACTION

I Finally Stopped Spinning My Wheels—Here’s the System That Changed Everything

For years, he knew what he wanted—more energy, more consistency, more intentionality in every area of life.

He wanted to stay hydrated, work out, make time for his wife and kids, dominate his workday, grow spiritually, and still have space for friendships. But no matter how hard he tried, something always slipped through the cracks.

“I never had a place to organize all the inputs that I wanted,” he said. “And I think I am super high-functioning, but I told myself for so long... there are so many things I wanted to do that I knew I was capable of.”

Sound familiar?

Like most people, he tried calendars, habit trackers, and mental checklists, but they never stuck. If his calendar said Workout at 1 PM, it was too easy to push it back when work got busy—and then never actually do it. Everything felt scattered, like he was constantly starting over.

Then he found Growdie, and suddenly, everything clicked.

The Shift That Changed Everything

Instead of juggling a million different reminders, he finally had one system that brought everything together—his habits, his goals, his accountability.

“The accountability structure in the list—just seeing, ‘Hey, these are the things that are important to me, and I need to do them’—was a game-changer,” he said.

It wasn’t about chasing perfection. It was about momentum.

And for the first time, he wasn’t just checking off boxes—he was living the kind of life he always wanted.

His wife noticed.

“She’s been telling me for years, ‘You put everyone else first—you need to go first, or at least give yourself something,’” he said. “And now? I finally am.”

His energy levels shot up. His workouts became non-negotiable. He started tweaking his diet, experimenting with fasting and cutting back on caffeine—not out of obligation, but because he actually felt in control of his choices.

“Right now, I’m on one meal a day—just dinner in a one-hour block, fasting the rest,” he said. “And, man, what I’ve already seen from that is a ton of clarity. I feel great, sleeping good, doing less caffeine, and still have all the energy to do the diet or do the exercising.”

The biggest realization? It was never about trying harder.

“I used to think I was just bad at structure,” he said. “But the truth? I just needed the right system.”

Your Growth Starts Here

If you’ve ever felt like you’re capable of more but can’t seem to bring it all together, maybe the problem isn’t you. Maybe you just need a better structure to make it happen.

That’s exactly what Growdie was built for.

It’s not about adding more to your plate. It’s about creating a simple, sustainable system for growth that actually fits into your life.

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Step into a system that actually works. Join Growdie today and start building the life you’ve been working toward.