Fall is a season of transition. A time when blooms begin to fade and leaves begin to change color. A time
when the air cools and the days shorten.
This year I’m experiencing my own season of change. I recently finalized my decision to leave corporate
America at the end of the year to pursue my life’s passion of landscape design
full time! As I transition from a desk to the garden and from a
computer to a shovel, I’ll take with me some lessons learned from working in
business.
when the air cools and the days shorten.
This year I’m experiencing my own season of change. I recently finalized my decision to leave corporate
America at the end of the year to pursue my life’s passion of landscape design
full time! As I transition from a desk to the garden and from a
computer to a shovel, I’ll take with me some lessons learned from working in
business.
Establish collaborating communities.
I have found that work can be completed most effectively and
efficiently when people communicate openly and respectfully and demonstrate a
desire to collaborate. When we are open
to others’ ideas and are driving to a common goal, creativity and harmony
abound. The same is true of the
garden. Whether it’s the succession
planting of spring ephemerals followed by later-emerging perennials, or a clump
of wildflowers in a meadow, plants thrive in communities. Nature designed them
(and us) that way.
efficiently when people communicate openly and respectfully and demonstrate a
desire to collaborate. When we are open
to others’ ideas and are driving to a common goal, creativity and harmony
abound. The same is true of the
garden. Whether it’s the succession
planting of spring ephemerals followed by later-emerging perennials, or a clump
of wildflowers in a meadow, plants thrive in communities. Nature designed them
(and us) that way.
 |
| A successful community of blooms |
Reward the high performers. Weed out the under performers.
I’m guilty of taking home a special plant from the nursery
or plant sale. One that has unique
characteristics that I am unable to resist.
Sometimes these specimens perform beautifully in my garden, doing
exactly what the ID tag says they should.
Other times it’s all hype and no action.
Don’t be afraid to give those stellar performers a prime spot in your
garden; weed out the lackluster performers.
Under performers best serve the garden in the compost pile.
or plant sale. One that has unique
characteristics that I am unable to resist.
Sometimes these specimens perform beautifully in my garden, doing
exactly what the ID tag says they should.
Other times it’s all hype and no action.
Don’t be afraid to give those stellar performers a prime spot in your
garden; weed out the lackluster performers.
Under performers best serve the garden in the compost pile.
 |
| A standout in my garden – Blettila striata |
Plan & execute well.
I have been most successful in corporate America when I
planned for what I wanted to accomplish and then executed against that
plan. The same is true of the
garden. A haphazard approach to design
usually doesn’t work. Think about how
you want to use the space, consider the characteristics of the location,
determine how much space a plant needs to grow to maturity, and develop a
comprehensive plan that takes all these factors into consideration.
planned for what I wanted to accomplish and then executed against that
plan. The same is true of the
garden. A haphazard approach to design
usually doesn’t work. Think about how
you want to use the space, consider the characteristics of the location,
determine how much space a plant needs to grow to maturity, and develop a
comprehensive plan that takes all these factors into consideration.
Be agile and course correct as needed.
As managers and employees, we take risks. We try new things. We succeed.
We fail. This is true of gardeners
and designers also. Sometimes our
experiments work. Sometimes they
don’t. Sometimes a plan works partially,
but needs a few tweaks. We are
constantly learning lessons. We
persevere. We make adjustments. If at
first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Eventually, you’ll achieve the result
you’re after.
We fail. This is true of gardeners
and designers also. Sometimes our
experiments work. Sometimes they
don’t. Sometimes a plan works partially,
but needs a few tweaks. We are
constantly learning lessons. We
persevere. We make adjustments. If at
first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Eventually, you’ll achieve the result
you’re after.
 |
| A diverse group of plants |
Be inclusive.
I am an advocate for diversity. Diversity breeds creativity. Bounce ideas off other gardeners and
designers. Combine broad-leafed plants
with fine textured ones. Consider
different color combinations. Embracing
diversity will take your garden and your life from ordinary to extraordinary.
designers. Combine broad-leafed plants
with fine textured ones. Consider
different color combinations. Embracing
diversity will take your garden and your life from ordinary to extraordinary.
Your advice above is well thought out and we could all benefit from thinking change through. I love the way you link your garden passion to life changes. And last of course, your time has come Carol and I am happy for you. Advent is all about something new arriving in our lives. I am sure that this new part of your journey will be rewarding in many ways. Go with God girl.
Thanks so much John. I'm so ready for this change and looking forward to my second career!