Progress is not a linear process

It is common to see progress as something linear. We owe this feeling mostly to the education we received, where we see the development of science and society in a chronological and always ascending order, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is a process with ups and downs, setbacks and stagnation. And personal progress is no stranger to this.

Origin of the idea of progress

In reality, the idea of progress and humanity's role in it emerged less than 300 years ago. With a historical record long enough to begin to analyze events with a new perspective.

For the ancient Greeks, the perspective of development was an imitation of natural cycles, which repeated themselves over and over again. What was fundamental was what was destined to repeat itself. Different civilizations have different ideas of the passage of time and the changes it brings. One of the most popular being that of circular or cyclical time.

It is in Western thought that the linear view of events has most influenced how we see progress. Progress can be identified, even though not all types of progress (economic, social, moral, scientific and cultural) develop at the same pace, nor to the same extent, nor everywhere.

Progress in personal growth

Progress is currently a very powerful concept, related to the possibility of human improvement and the attainment of well-being in all areas of life. Not everyone agrees with the idea of this possible positive and infinite evolution, especially when we know the repercussions of our behavior on the environment and on the marked social differences that persist; but it certainly has a value for personal growth. We do not have to be satisfied with the place we have or with the cards that life gave us, we can work to improve ourselves and fulfill our aspirations.

In order not to become slaves to the idea of progress, it is necessary to critically analyze every important step we take. A progressive mentality will always be in favor of movement and improvement, but we must ensure that it constitutes a positive change for us. Progress has the element of the unknown, it is not like development that plays with the resources we already have and know to generate change.

Progress in coaching

As we have mentioned progress is not a linear process, on the contrary it is a path with many inflections. This is something that is taken into account in coaching. When accompanying the client on this path of transformation towards an improved version of him/herself, we must assume that it will not always be an ascending and continuous path.

The most normal and usual, in fact, are episodes of falls, setbacks and mood swings. Success will depend precisely on how both the coach and the