Growth is slow when you want it to be fast and fast when you feel unprepared.

It’s like dropping a song, expecting the world to notice… and getting a single fire emoji from your mom.

Music.

Business.

Life.

The rules are the same.

Let’s use a tree as our metaphor.

1. You Can’t Rush the Roots

Everyone wants results. Few want the dirt.

But that’s where growth happens — when no one’s watching.

• Artists chase deals before they have songs.
• Creators chase virality before they have an identity.
• Entrepreneurs chase scale before they have a foundation.

Cheat code? Fall in love with the process.

Growth is what happens naturally over time. Artist development? That’s the intentional strategy that makes sure your growth leads somewhere.

2. The Trunk Comes Before the Branches

A tree doesn’t sprout a thousand branches overnight. It builds a strong trunk first.

Your career is no different.

• Write one great song before making an album.
• Build one engaged audience before chasing reach.
• Nail one revenue stream before spinning out ten.

The stronger your foundation, the bigger you can grow.

Artist development is about making sure your foundation is strong enough to hold the weight of your ambition.

3. The Right Inputs = The Right Outcomes

Nobody thrives in bad soil.

Your growth depends on:

• The right people (are they pushing you forward or holding you back?)
• The right habits (consistency beats intensity every time.)
• The right environment (are you building in the right scene?)

Simple.

But not easy.

4. The Fastest Way to Learn? Get Hit in the Face.

Nobody figures it out in a straight line.

Growth happens when you:

• Launch before you’re ready.
• Say yes, then figure it out.
• Take swings, get knocked down, and adjust.

Waiting doesn’t make you better. Doing does.

5. Growth Requires Cutting What Doesn’t Fit

Not every branch deserves to stay.

• Some songs won’t make the album.
• Some relationships serve a season but aren’t forever.
• Some strategies need to be scrapped.

Prune or be pruned.

The best artists, entrepreneurs, and humans ruthlessly cut what doesn’t serve the mission.

Final Thought: Growth Is Supposed to Be Uncomfortable

If it feels awkward, frustrating, and slow — congrats.

You’re growing.

No one actually blows up overnight.

The ones who look like they did?

They spent years in the dirt when no one was looking.

Growth happens no matter what.

Artist development makes sure it’s happening in the right direction.

Keep planting.

Keep cutting.

Keep moving.

The ones who stay in the game are the ones who win it.

See you next Sunday,

Neil