Hey you,

If you’ve ever felt like you were finally getting it, only to crash headfirst into “Wait… maybe I know nothing”…

You’re not broken. You’re just learning.

, there’s a name for that moment.

It's called the Valley of Despair

And the good news is, it’s not the end. It’s the beginning of real growth.

This week’s Growth Note is a compass for anyone stuck between “I thought I had it” and “I think I’m drowning.”

If you know someone who’s there right now, forward this to them.

They don’t need advice. They just need a map.

3 Ideas That Make Learning Stick

1. Shu-Ha-Ri: The Arc of Simplicity

There are three stages every learner travels:

• Shu – Naive Simplicity
• “This looks easy.” You copy what works and feel confident… but don’t see the depth yet.
• Ha – Informed Complexity
• “This is harder than I thought.” You uncover contradictions, exceptions, and nuance. This is the valley where most people quit.
• Ri – Enlightened Simplicity
• “It’s simple again—but now I understand why.” You’ve internalized the rules, seen the patterns, and can teach with clarity.

This is what Einstein meant when he said:

“Everything should be made as simple as possible—but not simpler.”

2. The Dunning–Kruger Effect: The Confidence Curve

Learning often starts with Mount Stupid—where we know little but feel powerful.

Then comes the Valley of Despair, where doubt creeps in.

Eventually, with humility and persistence, we climb the Slope of Enlightenment.

This explains why you might feel like you’re regressing—when in reality, you’re progressing.

Confidence doesn’t equal competence. But awareness does.

3. AI for Intentional Learning

Used intentionally AI can help you learn, not just do all of the thinking for you:

• Check your blind spots
• Translate complexity into clarity
• Ask better questions

Try prompts like:

“Where am I oversimplifying this concept?”

“How would a beginner vs. expert explain this?”

“What am I missing from this process?”

When you use AI to challenge—not replace—your thinking, you accelerate toward mastery.

2 Quotes to Reflect On

“The expert has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”

– Stephanie McCranie

“All change is hard as first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end”

– Robin Sharma

1 Stretch for the Week

What skill or subject are you learning right now?

Identify where you are on the arc: Shu, Ha, or Ri.

Use AI to help you move forward intentionally—by reflecting, simplifying, and creating.

True growth feels awkward in real time.

It feels messy. Uncertain. Slower than you thought.

But if you’re in the valley—stay in the valley.

Because what feels like confusion now… becomes confidence later.

More soon—until then, speak boldly.

—Kamryn

Beyond the Note

I work with founders, professionals, and teams who want to speak with confidence, lead with clarity, and grow through intentional communication.

→ Book 1-on-1 coaching

→ Bring me in to speak at your next event

→ Explore more tools and frameworks on my site

Big things are coming soon—like my first book and online trainings. Stay tuned.

P.S. Know someone who needs this kind of weekly stretch?

Forward this email or send them to The Growth Note signup page.