Are You Choosing Status Quo—or Status Grow?

It might be time to put your calling above your comfort.

Hi friend,

Today, I have for you an excerpt from my book “The Work You Love Revolution” (more on that book in a moment).

What’s really at stake: status quo or status grow?

A revolution consists of two forces that are at odds. We could call them:

• "status quo" and

• "status grow."

Status quo probably doesn't need an introduction. It's the same old, same old, whether in your own life or in the system we live in. It's stagnation when there should be forward movement.

Status grow is the opposite of that. It's a commitment to change. It's the movement that breaks through stagnation. It’s the sword that—finally—gets pulled out of the stone.

Traditional ways of thinking about work (and life in general, come to think of it) often fall into the status quo camp. Don't rock the boat, don't upset the apple cart, don't change course. (Don’t claim your birthright.)

Contrary to that, work you love often implies a commitment to status grow, a commitment to change and constant growth.

If you are reading this book, it's probably because you currently find yourself at a crossroad of sorts. This is an inflection point in your life and it's crucial that you make the right decision.

We are talking about a moment in time that divides your life into a clear before and after. It's similar to that famous scene in the 1999 movie “The Matrix” when Nero is given the choice between

• the blue pill (go back to a pleasant sleep) or

• the red pill (wake up to the unsavory reality).

(Here’s the scene, in case you don’t know what I’m talking about:)

The choice in front of you is this: status quo—or status grow?

You can head back into the old, familiar terrain (but know that you will likely regret this further down the line).

Or you can forge forward, find the new frontier (but know that you will freak out somewhere along the way).

Simply put, if you want to have work you love, you need to pick the red pill.

You need to put you calling above your comfort.

You need to choose status grow.

---

Putting this into context

Why am I sharing this excerpt? You see, life consists of choices between status quo and status grow.

In 2016, I took a huge leap into the unknown. Despite being a high-paid attorney who was working on exciting cases, I left that career. I moved to another country to live with my husband (when we had never gotten the chance to live together before).

That was me choosing status grow.

But it’s not enough to choose status grow once.

We have to choose it again and again.

Growth isn’t what we think it is

This newsletter is about joyful growth. But when I say growth, I mean personal and spiritual growth—and that doesn’t always have to look like we think it looks like.

Growth can be downsizing. Growth can be rest. Growth can be releasing.

Growth can be a commitment to small—as long as it feels aligned for you.

Alignment is really the crux of it all.

That’s why status grow doesn’t have to consist of taking huge leaps. It’s not even always about action. It’s about doing something we want to do that we are also avoiding.

To give you a few examples:

• For someone who is a busy bee, having a quiet weekend can be a commitment to status grow.

• For a workaholic, choosing to work only part-time can be status grow.

• For a person who is glued to their smartphone, putting all devices down and reading a good, old-fashioned book might be status grow.

About the red and the blue pill

Back when I was still an attorney (and dreaming about pursuing my own soul path), I once found myself on a trip with my work colleagues. We were in a cool, artsy place in Munich that offered drinks—including one inspired by the famous pill scene from The Matrix.

I had never seen this type of cocktail before. I have never seen it since.

Before I go any further in this tale, I should say that I believe that there’s a great reason why THE SCENE from The Matrix is one of the most iconic movie scenes of all times: because it speaks to something deep within ourselves.

The necessity of making an irrevocable choice between two different pathways.

So seeing this drink in this place on this particular occasion felt very much on the nose— given that I was internally wrestling between taking

1. the path of my soul (leaving my career and my country) or

2. the path of my ego (staying in my current situation).

Of course, I couldn’t resist ordering this drink!

Interestingly, if I recall correctly I was the only person who did so, out of a large group of lawyers.

A short while later, the translucent-looking beverage arrived, with a blue and a red pill on the side. The task was simple: pick a pill, and put it into the drink. Depending on your choice, your beverage turns red or blue.

What beverage color did I end up with?

…

…

…

Purple!

That’s a good metaphor for how we approach life, isn’t it? “Yes, I want bold change… but can I also stay within my comfort zone, pretty please?”

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About that book

Alright, time to break the 4th wall: I’m currently avoiding something. You see, about the book I just shared? A while ago, I took it down. It’s not available anymore.

Since publishing it a few years ago, so many things have changed for me.

Pandemic. Parenthood. Pausing in my business.

Now that I am getting back to my business, I’m simply not the same person I was back then. My priorities have shifted. I don’t have as much free time and need to be more mindful of how I’m handling my energy.

I have even started to go to my middle name Louise—so I should change the name on the cover. But more than that, having the book out there made me feel exposed, even if only a few people read it.

Could I put it up again? Yes! But here are the questions that come up with me: How much time and effort would it take? And would someone want it?

As I’m sharing all this, does any of this sound familiar? Maybe not the exact reasons I’m giving, but the contours of what I’m describing?

This is, ultimately, because we have a tendency to choose status quo over status grow.

I will share more about the reasons for that in my next post.

But first, let me share a success with you.

You see, I also have a companion mini-course and full course for that book. When I started writing this newsletter yesterday, these courses weren’t available, either.

The platform I had used to create these courses got sold and “enshittified”. Back when that happened, I was way too busy as a new parent and new editor of a huge Medium publication to deal with it.

Well, yesterday I started taking action! My mini-course “Find Your Joy: A Fast-Track Guide to Doing What You Love” is now available again.

This 3-part course is designed for anyone feeling stuck in an unfulfilling work situation and longing to uncover their true passions.

In a few short sessions, you'll gain clarity on what needs to change in your work life, learn where to start your transformational journey, and discover how to improve your work happiness with minimal risk.

Each lesson is packed with valuable content, including videos, transcripts, and worksheets tailored to guide you on your path.

Course Highlights:

• Lesson 1: How to Avoid the Disaster of Unfulfilling Work 😱 --> Kick off your journey by learning the tell-tale signs of work that drains your soul.

• Lesson 2: My "Secret" Recipe for How to Create Work You Love 🤫 --> Uncover the five essential ingredients for crafting fulfilling work and discover the Passion Roadmap that leads you to doing what you love.

• Lesson 3: How to Start Your Passion Path With (Almost) No Risk 🪄 --> Get an actionable approach and feel empowered to begin pursuing your passions without the fear of making a wrong move.

With worksheets and reflection prompts, you'll be encouraged to take ownership of your journey every step of the way.

And the best thing? It’s just $7, and comes with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee (no questions asked).

(If you have been on my email list for a few years, you might have already seen my 3-part video series).

Here’s the link:

What is my takeaway from all of that?

Joan Baez has a beautiful quote: “Action is the antidote to despair.” This has been my experience as well.

You see, when I tried to figure out why I found it so hard to put these courses up again, it’s because there were a lot of emotions involved in their creation. Two people I trusted disappointed my expectations, which led to a lot of effort going to waste. All of that happened during the pandemic, which added yet another layer of emotional intensity to it.

Anyway, acknowledging the disappointment and then working towards putting these courses up again helped me emotionally (perhaps there’s a reason that “emotion” has the word “motion” in it).

And I’m hoping that having more of my work available again will also help other people!

Warmly,
Louise

P.S.: Here’s the link to my mini-course “Find Your Joy: A Fast-Track Guide to Doing What You Love” again.