Are you familiar with the five pillars of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs)—Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting?
I reimagined them as an interconnected, dynamic system that emphasizes the interplay between these capacities rather than treating them as separate pillars. I imagined them as the abstract painting above.
To me personal development is an evolving, relational process where each component influences the others as the colours of the painting mingling and changing their nuances when mixing with another colour.
The components form a living ecosystem, where growth in one area naturally supports and sustains growth in others (rather than standing as individual pillars) is a networked web of interdependence, where connections between capacities are fluid and cyclical, allowing for adaptive, holistic personal and societal transformation. That’s an abstract painting rather than a precise framework.
Being serves as the central root of this ecosystem, a deep well of self-awareness, presence, and emotional regulation. It doesn’t stand alone but acts as the foundation from which all other capacities flow. As I say “the quality of what we do depends on the quality of our being”.
A person grounded in Being can connect more deeply and authentically with others. Self-awareness enhances cognitive capacities like reflection, perspective-taking, and critical thinking.
Being is dynamic, continually informed by the relational feedback from the external world (Relating) and the actions we take (Acting).
Thinking adapts, processes, and maps out the connections between inner states (Being) and external realities (Relating, Collaborating). With the feedback from Collaborating, we broaden perspective-taking and cognitive flexibility through diversity of thought.
Thinking is not isolated; it moves with the rhythms of emotion, relational dynamics, and practical engagement.
Relating represents the connective tissue of the ecosystem, the web of empathy, care, and communication that binds individuals to their communities and the world.
Relating shapes and is shaped by the presence of others, with feedback loops that strengthen both the individual and collective capacities for empathy and shared purpose.
Collaborating is the organism’s cooperative function, where shared purpose, trust, and and even tensions drive collective intelligence and co-creation.
Collaboration is not an isolated task but an extension of interpersonal connection and collective wisdom.
Acting represents the outward expression of all other capacities—the tangible ways we engage with the world, guided by purpose, courage, and integrity.
Driven by Being, reflective, informed action allows for iterative learning—where thinking and acting form a continuous cycle of adjustment and refinement.
Acting is the manifestation of the entire system, the culmination of internal and external capacities working in harmony to create meaningful change.
In this ecosystem, the five capacities are mutually reinforcing rather than linear or hierarchical. Each capacity strengthens the others through continuous feedback loops:
• Being informs Thinking, providing the emotional intelligence needed for complex problem-solving and especially healing and learning.
• Relating enriches Collaborating, creating deeper trust and shared purpose.
• Thinking refines Acting, ensuring decisions are grounded in reflection and systemic awareness.
• Acting influences Being, as real-world engagement leads to deeper self-awareness and growth.
We shouldn’t think of such interactions as linear or consequential. They rather happen as brushing layers of paint, as the movement of the painter painting. A swirl of colours and textures vying for space. Each brushstroke is spontaneous, a felt sense of the emotions swirling within and around us. The canvas doesn’t conform to neat pillars or structured silos; instead, it reflects a chaotic, vibrant interplay of shapes and hues—each stroke interconnected, feeding off the others, blending and contrasting in an organic dance.
As the painter steps back, they don’t see defined sections, but a rich tapestry of experiences, thoughts, and feelings merging together. Some areas are bold and saturated, representing deep insights; others are softer and more subtle, hinting at quieter moments of reflection. The beauty lies not in a linear progression but in the freedom of expression and exploration, where development unfolds like an abstract masterpiece, revealing layers and depths that aren’t immediately visible.
In this interconnected complex process, evolution isn’t siloed into categories but emerges from the flow of relationships between capacities.
Now, if you were to draw your own personal journey of growth and evolution as an abstract painting how would it look like? Please let me know.
What if art practices challenged our models and frameworks? Will it change why, what and how we evolve?
Artful Entrepreneurship programs and resources are designed with this in mind. If you have any question or would like to inquire for consultancy, workshops or talks get in contact with us.
If you’re interested in learning more about my services and would like to discuss any consultancy, workshops, talks, please reach out.
Consider also subscribing to the newsletter to stay updated and receive weekly inspiration.
Every month, I spend hours and resources for you to receive both the newsletter & blog regularly and free. A thoroughly one-woman labor. If this labor makes your own life more livable in any way, please consider aiding its sustenance with a one-time or loyal donation. Your support makes all the difference. Donation link here.