Phototropism or Gravitropism: What’s YOUR Focus?
Let’s talk about trees🌳
No, really.
Because they’re the perfect metaphor for why 99% of “overnight success” stories are bullsh*t.
Here’s the thing we ALL KNOW, but DON’T GET:
A tree grows in 2️⃣ directions at the same time.
⬆️ UP (fruit)
⬇️ DOWN (roots)
It doesn’t choose. It does both.
At the same time.
Gravitropic vs Phototropic.
Big words, simple idea:
🫚 ROOTS grow toward gravity (aka Gravitropic).
→ Into Darkness. Into the dirt. Away from light.
→ ROOTS = What you bury.
→ The work nobody applauds or wants to touch.
🍎 FRUIT grows toward light (aka Phototropic).
→ Into the open. Where EVERYONE can see them.
→ FRUIT = What you parade.
→ The stuff everyone wants to Instagram.
THE PROBLEM:
👉 Most people want the PHOTOTROPIC LIFE.
The one that grows toward praise, success, and visibility.
The stuff that gets applause.
But the GRAVITROPIC LIFE?
The one that grows down.
Into the unseen, the grind, the UNCOMFORATBLE?
❌ NO THANKS!
Roots aren’t sexy. Nobody claps for roots.
THE BRUTAL TRUTH?
You CAN’T have fruit without roots.
→ Promotion without struggle.
→ Relationships without conflict.
→ Legacy without sacrifice.
→ Viral post without the 214 failed drafts.
→ Thought Leadership without the 10 years of being wrong.
Roots thrive in discomfort. Fruit dies there.
But, fruit only exists because of the roots.
The Curse of Comfortable Generations:
We’ve mistaken existing IN the world (fruit), with the challenge of growing THROUGH it (roots).
REALITY CHECK:
❌ Roots DON’T CARE about your “incredible potential.”
✅ They care about TRUTH.
What do I mean?
You want a thriving relationship?
→ Roots = Saying the thing that might end it.
→ Fruit = The Instagram anniversary post.
Want real creativity?
→ Roots = 1.000 terrible ideas you burn (and that burn you).
→ Fruit = The one that goes viral.
3 Uncomfrotable Truths About Roots:
1️⃣ Darkness is your incubator
Stop performing. Start practicing.
No audience. No metrics. Just reps.
But, Gaetan… What about anxiety? Anger? Loneliness?
→ They’re not “flaws.”
→ Stop pathologizing darkness! It’s gravity. Use it.
2️⃣ Pressure is your gym
Stress isn’t your enemy.
It’s how roots get strong.
3️⃣ Patience is your fertilizer
Roots grow when you’re bored, unseen and uncelebrated.
When you’re doing reps no one watches.
THE PARADOX?
Fruit is temporary. Roots are forever.
You can lose a branch. Lose the fruit.
But if your roots are deep? You’ll regrow. Fast.
And here’s the BONUS:
The deeper your roots, the less you need to prove.
So…
AUDIT your “Root System,” today:
👉 What are you avoiding because it’s hard, boring, or won’t get applause?
👉 Where are you faking fruit?
FINAL THOUGHT:
The world is full of potted plants 🪴
Small roots. Pretty leaves.
Easy to uproot.
Ask yourself:
Is THAT who I want to be?
I truly hope the answer is “NO!”
To your success,
Gaetan Portaels
Original publication date — February, 2025 (HERE)