You Reap What You Sow

My girlfriend loves gardening.? Feet and hands in the earth, planting, weeding and watering.? As close to Mother Nature as you can be.

You’re outside in fresh air, sometimes sun and you are convening with the life force.? There is something visceral about it.? It’s not an intellectual experience.? It’s more than that. ?

But you don’t reap what you sow.? You sow and hope

Most gardeners in my experience will tell you there are guidelines, but no rules.? Sometimes it’s bountiful and sometimes just a bunch of weeds

There is no failure, there is only giving up or trying again.? There are too many variables and too many things beyond your control to predict success

Successful long term gardeners accept this.? Unsuccessful gardeners quit

If you persevere, you get better and soon you’re eating your own food

I played sports my whole life.? I was considered an “athlete”

I remember learning how to ride a unicycle with my older brother when I was arund 12.? My parents bought us 2 unicycles

We took them out back and opened the garage bay doors and proceeded to let go and fall down, let go and fall down, let go and fall down

As I recall we took turns with the one because it became immediately apparent that both bikes would not survive the learning curve.

After hours of falling and getting up, we started getting half way down the driveway, then all the way and then down the street

It might be a wishful exaggeration, but I’m pretty sure by days end we were both jumping curbs and covering blocks of territory.? It was exhilarating

So many times during the day we could have quit…should have quit.? I don’t remember breaking for lunch or to pee.? I don’t recall why, but as you now know, the memory has lasted a lifetime.? I’m certain part of the reason I remember is that I didn’t quit

I was thinking I would say “I raised 3 beautiful children”, but on second thought it’s more accurate to say “I’m raising three beautiful children”.?

My “kids” are in their 20’s and 30’s, but they’re still my “kids”

I remember in a dark time for me saying to my father “dad you don’t have to worry about me” and he said, “I’ll tell you what Mark, the day you wake up and stop worrying about your kids, you give me a call and I’ll stop worrying about you”

If you have kids, you know it’s the most wonderful and responsible thing you can do.? The responsibility of keeping them safe while preparing them for an unsafe world and equipping them to make the world a better place is good work.? And it never stops unless you give up

You’ve probably had someone at some point say to you, “how do you do it”?? You just do right??

It seems evident to me now looking back that you do as much as God asks of you.

A soon as you think you have as much as you can handle, you discover that you can handle a little bit more

It’s the same game.? Most of it is beyond your control.? Attention and love you can control. Good luck with the rest

Particularly with respect to our kids, we can handle as much as they need. Our capacity is astounding.? Give yourself a pat on the back.

Business is no different

It might be a bit less personal (maybe not), but it’s a similar challenge.? You build the best systems and processes you can to suit your goals and then you trust.

You adjust as the battles and results require and then you trust again

Iterate and adjust.? Iterate and adjust

The only way you fail is if you give up

Don’t give up

My good friend Jim and I have a podcast we have fun with called?"The Imperfect Mens Club Podcast" . We talk about our life and business experiences and have a few laughs

If you want to chat about what has you stuck professionally, that's what I do.?Grab a slot on my calendar ?and let's see if/how I can help

If you're struggling with your job search and having trouble getting in front of decision makers, you may want to check out my workbook?"How To Get In Front Of Decision Makers"