Digging In The Dirt - We’re Either Growing Or Dying

Digging in the Dirt - We’re Either Growing or Dying

THERE’S NO SUCH THING as maintenance mode when you’re a garden plant. Plants are either on their way up or on their way down: seed, sprout, stalk, leaf, bloom, produce, produce like crazy, stop producing, die. Never in its life cycle does a garden plant “just exist.”

Companies and individuals are the same way; we either grow or die. Maintaining is often the first step toward death. So how can we ensure we’re always producing?

Put down roots. I think it’s important for our growth that we fully adopt the company we work for as our own. I understand that you might be skittish of such an idea—especially if you’ve been mistreated by a previous employer. I get that. But it’s like learning to love again after having your heart broken. To fully engage in your career, you’ll need to put your whole heart into it. And like your new love, you should also recognize it’s not perfect, and never will be. But you’re going to have to put down deep roots to be able to survive the heat. And, girlfriends, regardless of where you work, we know it’s going to get hot.

Reach for the sun. You probably do your best work when you’re challenged with a clear set of objectives. When you have a stated set of responsibilities and a clearly articulated goal, and when you’re learning something new, you’re likely to remain invigorated. Unfortunately, managers often fail to give folks well-defined goals, instead expecting them to motivate themselves to reach new heights. If you’ve not been given a set of goals, create them for yourself or expect to wither on the vine.

Stand up to the rain. Every organization includes at least one person who likes to rain on someone else’s parade. These people will beat you down like a six-week planting hit by a gully-washer. Personality conflicts can really challenge your growth if you let them. But here’s the key: you’re in charge of how much you allow other people to affect your attitude, your thought process, and your willingness to take risk.

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. . . . I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. (Philippians 1:6, 9)

If a three-inch bean plant is determined enough to withstand a torrential downpour (and it can), you can determine not to allow the naysayer to wash you out either.