Seeds of Success

by Karla Brandau, CSP

A book that constantly inspires me is As a Man Thinketh by James Allen. In this book James Allen writes that the greatest achievement was at first a dream. He comments that the oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and that dreams are the seedlings of realities.

What waits inside of you? 

Is there an idea seed laying dormant that needs water and sunshine to grow? Are there several project seeds that need to be weeded? Or has your seed of success grown to the point where with just a little more time, it will be in full bloom?

No matter what growth stage the seeds of success are inside of you, these steps will help success happen faster:

1. Focus on what gives you energy and excitement. Analyze what energizes you to the point that you will get up a little earlier every morning to give yourself precious minutes to work on your project.
   
   What tasks do you engage in, thinking, "I could do this all day long and never get tired." Delegate or dump those tasks that make you think, "If I never do this again, it will be too soon."
   

    

   2. Plan to do more of what you love to do.  If what energizes and excites you is in the sprout stage, do a formal goal setting with yourself and map out how you will water and fertilize this seed so it will grow. Break the goals into small, specific steps and add a short term deadline to each.

    

   3. Ask Dumb Questions.  If you have ever been where you are going, you will have questions.  Ask them. As you feel your way toward success, you have a right to ask dumb questions and to make stupid mistakes.  Dumb questions and stupid mistakes don't stunt the growth of your inner sees, they put you on the fast track to success.

    

    Have a great growing season.