3 Ways to Grow Wiser

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 50 seconds

What’s visible isn’t always valuable.

The loudest voices are often fuelled by ego, but lack substance.

Wisdom, on the other hand, is often quiet, grows slowly, and has depth.

Develop humble wisdom, not foolish ego.

Here’s an illustration to help you understand this principle more:

Wisdom is about depth; meaningful growth that makes us more well-rounded.

Whereas growing a large ego often comes at the expense of becoming wiser.

I know which I’d rather.

Do you?

Here’s a quote from someone that I consider to be one of the wisest individuals ever:

Humility allows us to grow quietly, deeply, and meaningfully - without needing to be seen.

The deepest growth happens below the surface.

When we focus less on appearance and more on substance, wisdom takes root.

We live in a culture obsessed with looking successful - likes, awards, performances, and praise.

But surface doesn’t equal substance.

Like a carrot, the most valuable parts of growth often happen underground, behind the scenes - slow, and steady.

Ego shouts. Humility listens.

Ego shows. Wisdom grows.

One leads to fragile confidence; the other builds something strong enough to endure.

Here are 3 ways to grow deeper roots:

1. Practice quiet discipline. 
   Do the work when no one’s watching.
   Growth isn’t a performance - it’s a process.

2. Ask more than you assert.

   Curiosity feeds humility.

   The wisest people are always learning.

3. Let depth be your definition of success.

   Don’t measure growth by applause.
   Measure it by understanding, experience and feeling content.

Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:

• Where am I focusing more on how I appear than who I’m becoming?

• What part of my life needs deeper roots before broader visibility?

• How might I practice humility?

Want to learn more about journaling? Join Journal Wiser today!

This book is perfect to complement today’s newsletter.

It’s Ryan Holiday’s book Ego is the Enemy.

It explores how ego disrupts growth, clarity, and purpose - and how humility is a better long-term strategy for success and fulfilment.

You can purchase a copy here.

Alternatively, check out his 5-minute summary of the book here:

If you have any feedback on the WISER Newsletter, I would love to hear it! Simply reply to this email, and I will get back to you. Alternatively, just DM me on social media.

You can find my social links and learn how to work with me here.

Catch you in the next issue!

Thanks,
Michael