by Tarran Deane
The United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of the Forest! Yes, the U.N. wants us to understand the importance of protecting the growth of our forests. Forests are forests as a consequence of a healthy bio-diverse group of plants and wildlife growing together through the cycle of life. This should be protected. Where destruction occurs, the seeds of new life should be planted.
Can we personally grow? Can we collectively grow? Can we be thoughtful, considerate individuals bonded by our commitment to enrich one another’s lives through encouraging, respectful, supporting and truthful relationships? I believe we can.
We can choose to grow personally & professionally. Imagine the impact on our families, communities, churches and companies.
1. Survey the landscape – what’s your life looked like this past year? Anything you would ahve liked to turn out differently? What are you going to need in your tool box for the year ahead? Do you need other ‘landscape artists or professionals’ to come alongside you? What feedback have you had about your life this past year? Have you filtered the comments and now realise maybe there’s some tweaking you can be doing?
2. Weed the ground – You can’t stand on the outside of your life and expect things to happen for you. Your life requires your involvement. Take responsibility and begin. Begin by weeding out of your life unhealthy thinking, attitudes and behaviours that only caused you to stay contained and poison relationships. Make some tough decisions. Pull out those pesky roots of disappointment, regrets, bitterness, and offense.
3. Prepare the soil – time to replace where the weeds have been with some good things. Our home is on a rocky hillside and we had to buy in some organic soil, wheelbarrow in some valley river rocks, crate in the mulch and than labour to transform the look and feel of our place. It didn’t just happen once either. It happens seasonally. You and I may have to ‘buy-in’ some talent and expertise ourselves to prepare our mind for thinking better. We’ve got to dig in some good personal values, regularly maintain our thinking. Every bit of ‘crap’ from the past can be used to build a terrific and fulfilling future, even if it looks different to what we imagined.
4. Select the seed – so now you’re feeling enthusiastic and positive about 2011! If you have identified key areas that you want to focus on e.g. time management, relationship building, better budgeting, career development, work-life balance then be S.M.A.R.T in your goal setting and prioritise your efforts for growth. Get in there and drive the growth for as much as depends on you.
5. Support the growth – Recognise what resources you need in order to achieve in your goals. Do you need to invest in your professional development? What's going to keep you motivated to achieve? Is it rest, journaling, music, connecting with like-minded people at church, work or play? Professional landscaping services generate millions of dollars for the economy. People often out-source lacking the time, know-how or discipline to tackle some maintenance in their own strength . You may consider engaging a mentor or coach to work with you and keep you accountable Roses flourish with pruning. Tomatoes requiring staking and structures for growth.
6. Watch for predators – Some birds are like people: they come in make a lot of noise and distract you from your purpose; other’s will come in and damage your emerging efforts; some will go behind your back and eat away at your confidence, just like the birds who steal the paw paw off my husbands much watched tree!. It doesn’t matter what you do or who you are, everyone will have an opinion about you and your lifestyle at some point. You know, that’s okay. Just be aware of who you’re dealing with and what your personal trigger points might be. Put strategies in place to counter their efforts. If you're growing something worthwhile you will be faced with some unpleasant conditions and criticism from time to time. Be mindful of the criticism, look for truth in it and use it to enhance your life. Otherwis,e set it aside and keep watch over your values, invest in your marriage and family, regularly monitor your effectiveness at work and look for ways to continuously improve.
7. Harvest the growth - get ready to harvest! Successful gardeners watch over their crop and know when the time is right to harvest and prudently store seeds for future planting. Fail to weed, you’ll harvest more weeds. If you’ve planted wisely and focused on key goals, you’ll reap a harvest. The key is to not grow weary in doing good! Stick with it and then rejoice when you see the fruit of your labour! In rural and wine growing areas around the world once the harvest is compelted, family and friends come together and celebrate the crop. Make sure you stop and celebrate your achievements periodically throughout 2011!
SUMMARY
8. Strike a cutting – true growth is never self-centred. Real growth provides a resource or fruit for others. Live outwardly. Share the benefit of your experience. Connect with your neighbours. Believe the best in others. Don’t be so quick to judge what you don’t understand. Be prepared to change the way you’ve always done life. Learn from other cultures. Celebrate life. Nourish your spirit. Maximise your talent. Accept responsibility.
In 2011 plant a lot of trees and help others grow too!
Tarran Deane. Dip Business Management,Dip Bus Administration, WPT&A, Adv Dip Christian Studies
Tarran is a vibrant speaker, author, coach, and founder of Embracing Ability. Tarran passionately shares her values with companies, community organisations, clans and churches across the planet. You can find out more about Tarran, her content and passion right at home on www.embracingability.com
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