Alchemy: Transforming Difficulty into Growth and Productivity

Creation is one of the most accessible forms of modern alchemy.

Carl Jung understood alchemy as a symbolic process of turning inner lead into gold — a transformation of the psyche and soul. He thought of alchemy as a journey toward psychic wholeness and realization of the Self, and recognized that true inner and external change tends to emerge through some form of difficulty. From this perspective, the challenges we’d prefer to avoid are not problems to get rid of, but catalysts for transformation, if we’re willing to work with them consciously.

Creation is one of the most accessible forms of modern alchemy. Whether it’s by building a company, writing a book, launching a project, or designing a space, the process of external creation also becomes a container for inner change. We don’t simply express ourselves through the work: the work actively shapes us, too. It often forces us to engage with parts of ourselves we might not meet through reflection alone. Our creation becomes a channel through which our inner material reorganizes itself.

People engaged in creative work often discover that what they make changes who they become. By committing to the work, they inevitably confront their psychological architecture – such as self-worth, tolerance for ambiguity, persistence, capacity for visibility, vulnerability, or discipline. The discipline of bringing an idea to life often forces us to see, understand, and further develop our inner qualities. In many ways, our projects become more than just projects; they become a vessel for personal growth.

At times, projects may even stall until we’ve done the inner work. Creation has a way of pausing when we’re out of alignment, as if it knows it needs a fuller version of us before it can continue. The work won’t move until we’re willing to look at what’s holding us in place. Once something shifts inside, the project that felt stuck suddenly has momentum again. The external movement reflects the internal one.

In often demanding ways, the evolution of our creations asks for honesty, patience, and presence. In diligently meeting those demands, we grow, too.