Happy 5: The Power of Growth – Follow the Octopuss…

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
A stupidly belated Happy New Year to you all – it’s 31st January so I can just about get away with this…
How long did it take you to pan your new years resolutions, and what date did “dry Jan” see you languishing in a gutter covered in your own puke, and wondering if life was going exactly how you’d planned?
Fear not, it’s Feb 1st tomorrow, the new Jan 1st – time to set a new load of resolutions maybe – make sure you consider ideas around “growth”, as this could also make you happy too – which is the entire point of this blog…
“If in doubt, learn” – Me, i said that – I developed this moto to try and break my frequent deadlock of crippling indecision…
So, whether you’ve already given up on your ambitious “New Year, New Me” plans or you’re still hanging on by a thread, let’s talk about Growth anyway, the final pillar of the Happy 5 and the key to long-term happiness.
Happy 5: Daily Habits for a Healthy & Happy Mind – No. 5 – Grow
For those just tuning in, The Happy 5 is a simple framework that helps you take charge of your happiness—think of it as your “5 a day” for mental well-being:
- Move – Get the endorphins flowing.
- Give – Boost serotonin by helping others.
- Connect – Release oxytocin through human interaction.
- Calm – Reduce cortisol and activate GABA (your brain’s chill pill).
- Grow – Build resilience, long-term happiness, and a sense of purpose.
And here’s the best part: Growth literally rewires your brain for happiness.
The Brain Chemistry of Growth: Why Learning Feels So Good
Ever wonder why it feels so satisfying to master a skill, finish a book, or finally solve that rubik’s cube you started 23 years ago? That’s because personal growth activates dopamine and serotonin, the ultimate brain-boosting combo.
Dopamine (The Drive Chemical)
🔹 Fuels motivation and reward.
🔹 Helps you push through challenges.
🔹 Makes progress feel exciting.
Serotonin (The Long-Term Happiness Chemical)
🔹 Provides long-term satisfaction and self-worth.
🔹 Helps with emotional resilience.
🔹 Creates a deep sense of purpose.
Put simply: Dopamine gets you started. Serotonin keeps you going.
Evolution & Growth: Why We’re Hardwired to Keep Learning
Humans are learning machines. Unlike, say, crocodiles (who haven’t changed in 200 million years and seem totally fine with that), we evolve mentally and emotionally throughout our lives.
Why? Because in the wild, the best learners survived.
🔸 Cavemen who learned how to make fire? Thrived.
🔸 Cavemen who ignored new hunting techniques? Eaten by saber-toothed cats.
Our big, brilliant brains evolved to crave learning because adaptability was a survival advantage. Even today, the more we learn, the sharper and happier we become.
Isn’t it an absolute travesty that so many of us spend hours a day doomscrolling through TikTok videos? Pretty soon AI will make the gap between super intelligence and us, seem like the difference in brain power between Einstein, and a fly. We are about to become the flies – more on this in another blog! But. let’s not buzz around and sit on poo poo in the meantime – let’s keep growing!
Lessons from the Animal Kingdom: Masters of Growth
1. Hermit Crabs – The “Level-Up” Experts
Ever seen a hermit crab swap its shell? These little guys literally outgrow their old homes and go on a mission to find a bigger, better one. It’s uncomfortable, risky—but necessary.
🔹 Lesson: Growth often feels uncomfortable, but staying stuck is worse.
2. Octopuses – The Curious Geniuses
Octopuses are learning machines. They open jars, solve puzzles, and even escape aquariums for late-night adventures (Google “Inky the Octopus”).
🔹 Lesson: Curiosity keeps your mind sharp—never stop exploring.
3. Elephants – Emotional Intelligence Experts
Elephants remember, reflect, and adapt. They grieve their dead, protect their young, and have complex social lives.
🔹 Lesson: Growth isn’t just about knowledge—it’s also about emotional maturity, and having massive trunk..
Why Growth Matters for Happiness
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
We often think of growth as external: career promotions, gym gains, ticking off life goals. But real growth happens internally—in how we think, adapt, and evolve.
The Science of Growth & Happiness
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Learning reduces stress and improves brain health.
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Challenges build resilience and boost confidence.
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Achieving small goals creates momentum for bigger ones.
Fun Fact: Studies show that learning new skills can delay cognitive decline – your brain is like a muscle, and growth keeps it strong.
Simple Wins: How to Grow Every Day
Growth doesn’t mean quitting your job to become a Himalayan monk. Here are some easy, daily ways to challenge your brain and expand your world:
🧠 Learn Something Small: A new word, a random fact, or how to fix a leaky tap – ooh that rhymes!
📚 Read for 10 Minutes: Fiction, non-fiction, an old magazine—anything that expands your mind… you’re not a machine (rhymes too…)
✍️ Reflect: Journal your thoughts, track your progress, or set an intention for the day.
🚀 Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Try a new hobby, food, or even take a different route home.
🧩 Solve a Puzzle: Crosswords, Sudoku, riddles—give your brain a workout.
🎶 Listen to a Podcast: Choose one that challenges your perspective or teaches you something new.
Closing Thoughts: Growth is a Journey, Not a Race
“The only time you should look back is to see how far you’ve come.”
– No idea – some clever dude from the past…
You don’t need to change everything overnight. Growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.
So, what’s one small way you can grow today? Maybe you read this blog instead of mindlessly scrolling. Boom—growth activated.
Final Challenge: Choose Your Growth Goal
Before the day ends, set a tiny goal for growth:
- What’s one new thing you’ll try this week?
- What book or podcast will you dive into?
- What challenge will you tackle with a fresh mindset?
Remember: You are not a finished product. You are a work in progress, and that’s fine – we all are – enjoy the journey, not the destination…
P.S. Want to Help Someone Grow?
Share this blog with a friend—it might just be the spark they need!
Right, I’m off to find an octopus to play chess with. If I lose, at least I’ll grow from the experience.
Until next time, keep evolving!
– Marcus Warry