With the onset of the pandemic and quarantine mandates of 2020, I, like the rest of the world, found myself in search of new hobbies to fill up my newfound time and solitude. And thus, just as everyone else, I turned to the internet and world of TikTok to try my hand (albeit unsuccessfully) at numerous viral video trends and bread-baking recipes, before ultimately landing on what would eventually become my new obsession… gardening.

Since then, what started as way to simply kill time and have fun harvesting some homegrown veggies, inadvertently become a way to release, unwind and temporarily disconnect from the confines of my computer. Whether it was to find a brief escape from my inbox, client meetings and upcoming presentations or to seek clarity on a given situation, I would routinely head to the garden to hit it with the hose and check for any new growth that may have sprouted.

And it’s in those somewhat meditative garden moments that I did find growth. Not only in seeds and soil of the raised beds, but in my own mind and actions. The practice of gardening allowed me to see and understand firsthand the natural act and process of growth and management in plant form, and how it could apply to other areas of everyday life and business that I found myself dealing with.

So, with that being said, below are 13 things I’ve either learned or confirmed about life and business from my backyard gardening efforts:

Growth takes time.
You've likely heard this one before, but it's worth repeating for those impatiently waiting for their latest post to go viral or business idea to take off. The day you plant the seed is not the day you harvest.
No two plants grow at the same rate.
And, much the same, we as unique individuals and employees have different paces in which we read, learn, grow, feel comfortable / confident speaking up, etc. The faster or slower that something takes to bear fruit is no indication of its success as a plant, and the same goes for finding our way in life, relationships, careers, callings, etc.
Plants require differing levels of structure and support.
Some prefer sun, while others the shade. Some are independent and have strong stalks that are self-supporting, while others can be more delicate and need the guiding support or reinforcement of a cage or trestle. Identifying those specific needs and requirements in an individual, and providing those supporting elements (when/where needed) can make all the difference in someones longterm success, cooperation, production and happiness.
Cross pollination promotes creativity and diversity.
Just as a pollinators (bees, insects, wind, etc.) carry and transplant nutrients from one plant to another that aid in it’s growth and create newer, stronger varieties of plants, so too can the ideas and input of unique individuals, industries and experiences when they are brought together. Taking in diverse opinions and considering the unique perspective and experience of others in any situation, will always lead to a more well-rounded and thoughtful result.
Companion planting is both efficient and mutually beneficial..
Appropriately pairing different, but similar crops and plants together allows you to not only maximize what can grow together in a single garden bed, but it also improves the overall health of the soil and plants as a whole since these companions tend to swap and share valuable nutrients to help each other growth. Similarly, when you align and unify individuals or teams of employees with a similar goal, mission, and drive they’ll not only aid and support one another’s efforts of growth, but also maximize the efficiency in which they achieve their common interest and desired result.
Sometimes a little $h*! can help fertilize and encourage growth.
Too much of the same can lead to a stale and complacent environment for growth, so having a little $h*! thrown into the mix to challenge you can do wonders in keeping the soil (and your creative juices) fertile. If you’re not continuously encountering new problems to solve and overcome, that’s usually a good indicator that you’re not really growing as a business or individual.
Seasonality is natural.
As great as it sounds to be a high-functioning top performer at all times, the reality is that we all have seasons of productivity and seasons of rest and restructure necessary for new growth. Additionally, some people are simply designed for certain seasons and situations, and once that season or situation passes, it's totally normal to experience a period of employees moving on, roles changing, etc. in order for you, your business and your employees (whether they’re staying, joining or moving on) to transition into a new season.
Sometimes, it’s just not the right soil or environment.
Try as you may, some plants just don’t jive in certain regions, climates, temperatures, or soil types… and the same certainly goes for people in various relationships and work environments. It’s important to learn and recognize both your unique strengths and weaknesses, in order to understand where you’re most likely to take root and flourish.
Overcrowding stunts and stifles growth.
Trying to pack too much into one garden bed doesn’t allow for any one plant to ever receive the nutrients it needs to successfully grow and reach its full potential. And if the plants grow at all, the fruits that they produce will likely be far less than what they could have been with the proper space and resources to thrive. Likewise, if you don’t give an individual or employee the proper space, resources and trust needed for them to think creatively and execute tasks independently, you’ll ultimately stunt their growth and stifle the level of results that could have potentially been produced otherwise.
Setting and forgetting leads to unruly and misdirected growth.
You want to give some space and freedom to encourage any kind of growth, but you must still occasionally check-in and provide guidance help to curb unwanted behavior and wasted energy, which can not only stunt longterm results, but ultimately lead to burnout, wasted potential and their ultimate demise.
One bad plant can ruin the entire crop.
At the first sign and manifestation of disease or an insect infestation, the quick removal and eradication of the problem plant is necessary and vital to keeping the rest of the garden and plants from being infected. The same can be said of toxic individuals or employees, who threaten the overall culture and cohesiveness of an otherwise working relationship or team.
Pruning is a vital part of providing direction and improving production.
Like a lean and efficient machine, pruning keeps the energy and nutrients of a plant going only to the limbs and leaves that are most likely to produce the best fruits. Removing bent, broken or unsightly parts of the plant reduces waste and keeps the focus and energy flowing into the areas that need it most. The same should be done with any area of your life or business that isn’t serving you and your desired outcome. It’s often necessary to drop deadweight and cut out any underperforming areas that are draining your energy, in order to keep the focus and priority on the things that are actually life-giving and producing success.
You’ll only ever get out, what you put in.
That goes for the initial seeds (dreams/ideas) you plant, as well as the hard work, hours, etc. that you’re willing to put towards keeping things alive and healthy once they’ve sprouted. You’ll obviously never get a ripe tomato from a watermelon vine, and following that same logic, you’ll never achieve your dream business, dream lifestyle, dream relationship, etc. if you never carve out the space in the garden and sow the correct seeds to begin with.

13 Lessons on Life, Business and The Pursuit of Gardening

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