Growth Instigators Hotline

#469 A Tree. The OG Way

• Aaron Havens • Season 5 • Episode 469

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A cozy holiday screensaver should soothe, not unsettle. Yet as we soaked in the glow of a digital fireplace and the hush of snowfall, one detail broke the spell: the Christmas tree slowly swayed as if caught in a phantom breeze. That tiny, odd motion opened a bigger conversation about our reflex to upgrade what’s already good and the restlessness that follows when novelty becomes the default.

We share a candid look at why small “enhancements” often change the meaning of familiar things. From AI-generated ambiance to the way we tweak our routines, tools, and traditions, we examine the line between genuine improvement and noise. You’ll hear practical ways to decide when a change is worth it: ask whether the update reduces friction, deepens connection, or adds real meaning. If it doesn’t, it might just be movement for movement’s sake. We also talk about the emotional toll of always chasing the next best thing and how contentment isn’t laziness—it’s a choice to honor what already works.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to constantly optimize, this conversation offers permission to value steadiness. Keep the cat napping, the coffee warm, the candles lit—and let the tree be still. Growth can look like alignment rather than acceleration, roots rather than ripples. Join us for a grounded, timely reminder that the old way, the known way, can be the best way when it keeps you anchored to what matters most.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves calm over clutter, and leave a quick review so others can find it. Tell us: where will you choose “enough” this week?

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SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to message 469 of the Growth Instigators Hotline where we examine an everyday normal object and assign it a deeper meaning. I'm Aaron Haven, your host and growth coach. What can a tree remind us of today? AI gets a lot of things right. And I would say it gets a lot of things wrong as well. My wife and I love to go to YouTube on our TV and put screensavers on. These are obviously AI-generated images with jazz or classical music on. It's calming. You know, coffee shops in a snowy mountain with candles. Oh, it's cozy. Well, recently it's been a Christmas theme. So a fireplace with coffee and candles again. There's candles on all of them. And a cat sleeping on the couch for some reason. I don't know. Gifts, you know, under the Christmas tree, snow falling with the lake in the background, and yes, that Christmas tree. But for some reason, the Christmas tree, if you watch it, is ever so slowly swaying. It's swaying back and forth. What? Maybe it's supposed to be soothing or something. To me though, it's just weird. Why is the Christmas tree swaying? This makes me wonder. What in my life do I feel like I need to spice up? Yet keeping it OG, the original, might be the best thing. Not everything is better with an upgrade. We tend to be a people always looking for the next best thing. Not wanting to miss out on something, not a bad thing. I just wonder where does this create discontent for something that is perfectly fine in our lives? So my friends, may a Christmas tree remind you that sometimes the old way, the known ways, the way it has always been could actually be the best version. Huh, my friends, may we be content today. Thank you for tuning in. You can listen to any of our past messages wherever you get your podcasts. And if you have thoughts you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them. Contact it, contact me at growth instigators.com or leave me a message after the beep. As always, keep instigating growth in all you do.