''Progress and transition are often characterized as "two steps forward, one step back". The key points are:
- Growth and progress are rarely linear, but rather involve a back-and-forth movement, with periods of advancement followed by setbacks or backward steps.[1][2][5]
- This pattern of "two steps forward, one step back" is a natural and sometimes necessary part of system and personal growth and transition.[1][3][5]
- Resisting or getting discouraged by the backward steps can hinder progress, whereas embracing and learning from them can build inner strength and courage.[1][5]
- The important thing is to keep moving forward, even if the progress is uneven. One step forward is still progress, even if it's followed by a step back.[4]
So in summary, the search results consistently describe progress and transition as a "two steps forward, one step back" pattern. The key is to expect and accept the uneven nature of growth, rather than expecting linear, constant advancement.''
