Enjoy a New Season of Growth
When Springtime rolls around it always reminds me of planting seeds in a garden with the expectation of an abundance of growth. But can we do a twist on this concept and think of those seeds planted in the garden of life? This consideration goes back to the beginning of time when our ancestors saw that cyclical process of sowing seeds to produce food and growth. Additionally, when I think about this concept, I reflect back on the many life lessons I learned from my grandparents who lived next door to me growing up and how they always had an amazing garden. They would be outside together, tilling the soil. Every gardener knows that how you tend the ground is essential in order to prepare and cultivate what you want to grow. Soil particles must be mixed, turned and combined before sowing in order to support healthy plants. Mixing the soil makes it fertile and helps the nutrients, minerals and water intertwine and circulate properly. Thus, strong and vibrant growth can take place.
Thinking about this concept with Springtime upon us made me reflect on the first step of the Faremouth Method, “Do A Self-Inventory.” I think many of us, if not all, might be in the “Springtime of our Careers” as we search for new growth and the results of our efforts. We are all learning how to remix our skill set in order to produce a healthier and more rewarding outcome of success.
In a metaphorical sense, collectively we’ve all had some storms of life play some type of havoc on our career gardens as we shed away layers to expose new fertile ground. Like what we’ve been through in the last several years with the pandemic and global changes, a hailstorm of sorts can come along and beat our crops into the ground where they seem lost. So now what must the farmer do? Like us, he must plant new seeds after revitalizing the ground, giving it the essential nutrients needed for new growth. His best opportunity for growth often begins again in the Spring. With this time of the year now upon us, let’s investigate how we can cultivate new opportunities in the New Work World.
1. Identify Where You Are and Where You Want to Go
Do an honest and thorough inventory of where you are in your career life. List your accomplishments, big and small, and applaud yourself for what you have achieved. It’s important to see things on paper in front of us to give us a clearer understanding of where we have been and what we have to work with. Writing these career accomplishments down and reviewing them may foster positive motivation and remind you that even in the toughest of times you were able to make meaningful progress. On another sheet of paper, write down some ideas of where you would like to go or what achievement goals you might have going forward. Make sure you dream big as well as realistically. Just like the farmer turning the soil in preparation for planting, thinking through these ideas and expanding on them may help prepare your own career soil for new growth and new possibilities in the coming year. We have all experienced a great deal of change and have learned from those experiences. We may have discovered what works for us and what does not. None of us knows for sure what the future holds, but we have had time to evaluate our talents, skill set and what we find truly rewarding in order to build not only a more lucrative but also a happier life.
2. Learn Something New
Adding to your skill set is always a positive endeavor when striving for greater growth. With the New Work World upon us, evaluate what you might learn that could help your career reach new levels. Perhaps joining a group like Toastmasters or Rotary to enhance your leadership and presentation skills, or learning a new spreadsheet application or software platform. Expansion not only increases confidence and competence, but it also feeds innovation. Maybe that means reading a book or enrolling in a class. Stimulating your mind is a great way to advance your career endeavors. Think of planting seeds this Spring that will grow into new opportunities in your life and work world. Growth in our mindset is always a healthy practice and makes for more meaningful exchanges with others.
3. Working with Others to Expand Your Personal and Professional Network
I’m not so sure my Grandmother could have had the amazing garden she did if she didn’t have my Grandfather alongside her, working together and planting seeds in the prepared ground. Working with others to achieve any goal is usually positive as we learn different perspectives and approaches along the way. For me, joining groups like Toastmasters and Rotary allowed me to expand my skill set and learn presentation and leadership skills from more experienced members. The sense of community during changing times can also be incredibly valuable, offering support and guidance as we move through challenges and toward new opportunities. Additionally, making new professional contacts allows one to feel supported and expand networking skills that can also transfer into the New Work World and provide many positive benefits.
4. Celebrate Your Bloom
Acknowledge what has begun to bloom in your career by listing your triumphs to spark pride in your progress and ignite initiative. I remember looking over the fence from my house into my grandmother’s garden, thinking about the wonderful spaghetti sauce we would all be enjoying from the fresh tomatoes off the vine she grew with such care. There was no sauce as tasty as hers. Her hard work and dedication day in and day out resulted in the whole family coming together at her house to enjoy a wonderful meal. Once she gathered her tomatoes, she would can them in order to preserve their value and share them among family members and friends. That leads me to another point that is near and dear to my heart. Once we begin to see the results of our hard work and good efforts, how do we preserve those lessons and share them with someone else? Maybe from your newly gained experience or perspective you can spark someone else to expand and grow in their own career endeavors. Perhaps you can inspire others and encourage them on their journey to achieve their desired results. Your plan of action may be just what someone else needs to learn from.
This Spring consider what seeds you will plant in your garden of life for your own personal and professional growth. Now is the time to prepare your own personal soil and get ready to plant new and exciting seeds that can lead to meaningful opportunities for you. Perhaps there is a new tool you can incorporate into how you obtain your results that will also benefit others. Just like the wonderful sauce from my grandmother’s garden that she shared with everyone, you might be able to develop your own “secret sauce” to share with others in your career and in life going forward. Remember that in order for anything to grow and flourish, the right seeds need to be planted in the right soil. Be determined to make this season of Spring one that allows you to grow and expand personally and professionally while also contributing to others so they may enjoy growth in their own garden of life.
