Spiritual growth is more a matter of  abiding than trying to grow.
Growing comes by submitting to, and moving with, a life-force. 
All the trying in the world, cannot make a doll grow, but a living  baby stretches and grows  with no effort on its part.  It has the force of life within.
Spiritual growth depends on the presence of the life-force of the Holy Spirit. Once filled with Him, one cannot help but grow.