A wet winter in Southern California means a glorious spring of wildflowers and blooming cacti. Wildflowers are great little teachers, too. Here’s a glimpse at my pics along with lessons I learned about business from this journey into nature.
1. Make the Most of What You Have
wildflower growing out of a rock
We all have struggles and obstacles. It’s whether or not you want them to limit you that determines where you’re going. This flower was growing out of a rock. There were no others around it. Its family members were all having the times of their lives lapping up the soil and sun across the trail. But this one hit the rock and didn’t give up. We can’t always have perfect situations. Maybe you’ve got more responsibilities than you can handle, maybe your health limits you. But look around for ways to thrive and to make the most of your current situation rather than arguing with reality.
2. We All Look Good in the Right Lighting
"I'm ready for my close up"
Play up your strengths! This cactus flower is beautiful but what made it stunning was the way the late afternoon sun played off its petals. Perfect timing for its particular color and shape. I see so many entrepreneurs NOT setting themselves up in the “right lighting” for their talents. Find where you shine and maximize that!
3. Honor The Growing Process
We all are beginners at something
Cactus flowers start off as little buds. Like any flower, opening too early is dangerous for its survival. Honor your growing process by letting certain things develop. This doesn’t mean to procrastinate or put things off, but to understand where and how you’re learning and growing.
4. Create Community
Find your tribe and thrive
If you’re a solopreneur you might think that no one else understands your challenges. Guess what? You’re not alone! Find like minded people who’ll support your success. Meet up in person and learn at live events. Take virtual conversations offline and get to know your community.
5. Make Friends With Your Competition
Feeling surrounded by prickly types?
I love the tenacity of this lone black eyes Susan (yellow flower in the center). Here she was surrounded on all sides by cactus and she made peace with her situation and thrived. I’m a big proponent of learning as much as you can about your competition not to annihilate (as some gurus advise) but to get more clear on who you are and what you offer that is distinctive.
6. Listen to Your Instincts
"Eeek! What do I do now?"
This baby cottontail didn’t cross the path fast enough to stay with his mother. Knowing he was in danger, he froze. I could have walked an inch up to this little guy and he wouldn’t have moved but instead I took a picture then hurried off so his mother could come and get him. He didn’t know what to do, maybe his baby bunny training hadn’t taken him to this lesson yet. But he instinctively was told to freeze and that’s what he did. Maybe you think he should have run and hid, but his instincts told him otherwise. What is your instinct telling you? How can you honor other peoples’ instincts without trying to force or control?
7. We All Have Our Season
There's a reason for the season
In a couple of months, this hillside will get brown and dry. We all have our peak seasons energetically and with the cycle of business. Understand your peak seasons and make the most of them!
8. Take a Retreat When You Need to
As long as you don't stay there forever...
It’s nice to have a place to chill out when things get hectic, like this cave. For your sanity, for your creativity, and for your lasting impact, be sure to take retreats every now and then to charge up your batteries.
9. Stretch!
Reach out and stretch!
If you don’t stretch, you will stay in the same place. This black sage in bloom is stretching out, out, out to embrace the sun. Stretching doesn’t need to hurt but you must feel it for it to be effective. If you picked one area to stretch in for the next 7 days, what could you accomplish?
10. Beauty, Protection, Companionship, Community.
What's Your Shining Mission?
Back to that wonderful cactus flower. Look closely at what’s around this flower that allows it to be in its splendor. The thorns on the pad below it are a source of protection. The bud behind it gives it companionship. And the neighboring cacti remind it that it’s part of a thriving community. Here’s a quick intuition game. Read the following 4 words: Beauty, Protection, Companionship, Community. Which one stands out to you?
Take the next 24 hours to map out how to add more of that to your business. You might come out with your own list of business wisdom!
Share your comments below!
About Nancy Marmolejo
