Developmental psychology has long shown that children progress through a series of well-defined developmental stages as they grow from infancy to adulthood. Nearly all children undergo these transformations, leading many to believe that development is simply a function of age. But when we turn our focus to adulthood, the data tells a different story.
Research has identified three primary stages of adult development:
- Mind 1.0 – The foundational stage, where individuals operate as dependent thinkers and primarily out of self-preservation, seeking safety and comfort.
- Mind 2.0 – A more advanced stage, where individuals become more independent thinkers and begin to explore growth but remain largely guided by external validation and rewards.
- Mind 3.0 – The pinnacle of adult development, where individuals are interdependent thinkers and are internally driven, capable of deep self-reflection, and open to complexity.
Despite the potential for further development, 64% of adults never progress beyond Mind 1.0. Only 35% reach Mind 2.0, and a mere 1% achieve Mind 3.0. But why is this the case? Why is it that most adults never develop in adulthood.
The Truth About Development: It’s Not Automatic
While childhood development appears to happen naturally, I don’t believe it is a function of age alone. Rather, I believe that both children and adults develop by encountering and adapting to new and challenging situations.
The key difference? Children have no choice. Their lack of life experience forces them into novel and difficult circumstances. They must learn, adapt, and grow because they have little control over their environment. Parents, teachers, and society at large structure their experiences in ways that demand development.
But adulthood is different. Once people gain independence, they get to choose their circumstances. They can decide whether to seek out challenges—or avoid them altogether. And the reality is, most adults prioritize safety and comfort over growth. Instead of pushing into the unfamiliar, they remain in routines that reinforce their existing mindset. As a result, their development stalls.
How to Ensure Continued Growth in Adulthood
If you want to become a better, more cognitively and emotionally sophisticated version of yourself, you must intentionally put yourself in new and challenging situations. But here’s my recommendation: before you take that leap, first elevate your mindsets.
When you shift your mindset, your willingness to embrace challenges increases naturally. Your mind will stop resisting growth and start seeking it. Here’s how you can begin:
- Take my mindset assessment to identify the mindsets that may be holding you back.
- Choose one mindset to work on and start shifting how you see yourself and the world.
- Access my Mindset Library for the tools, resources, and guidance necessary to make lasting changes.
Development isn’t reserved for childhood—it’s a lifelong process. But it only happens if you choose it. The question is: Can you develop the mindsets that will allow you to step into the discomfort that leads to transformation?
