the colour of the tree works well against the blue sky but for me the image is too busy. I am also struggling to see how this fits the challenge title and feel that this is probably why it scored low :o)
Having had a palm in my yard before, I "get" the connection to "progress" in that every year you have to cut these suckers back as they grow. The blue is quite electric and some detail lost in the fronds, but it's a kinda cool pic just the same.