The Messy Middle

Where Growth Happens

"Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end." — Robin Sharma

I love this quote because it captures the emotional rollercoaster of change so perfectly. And let’s be honest—most of us don’t give enough credit to the messy middle.

When I started Change with Mel 12 months ago, I was filled with excitement. I could see the possibilities laid out in front of me—creating a business that truly helps leaders navigate change, making an impact in a way I never could in a salaried role. The vision was crystal clear, and I was all in.

Then came the messy middle.

The reality of running a business set in: the uncertainty, the oh crap, what have I done? moments, the days where I felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill. It would have been easy to walk away, to go back to a comfortable salary and let someone else worry about the hard stuff. And I won’t lie—some days, I really considered it.

But the messy middle is where most people give up. It’s also where real growth happens.

So, I reminded myself: Why did I start this in the first place? What was the bigger picture I was working towards? I lifted my eyes from the daily grind and focused on where I was heading, not just the struggle of the moment. I took a break, cut myself some slack, and reached out to the people who had my back.

Maybe you get off the horse for a moment. But then—you get back on.

Because when you push through the messy middle, you come out the other side stronger, wiser, and more capable than you ever thought possible. That’s when the gorgeous part starts to show itself.

If you’re in the messy middle right now, take a breath. It doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing.

You've got this.