What I learned about Business from Stick Season
What can you do today to reconnect to your big why?
It’s stick season in Vermont.
Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year in northern New England – this includes the kaleidoscope show of fall foliage throughout October AND Stick Season in November.
There is a clarity and focus that comes with seeing bare branches sticking up into the blue sky from my kitchen window.
It’s time to get the woodstove fired up, pull on thick warm socks, and enjoy a mug of chili with a side of cornbread.
I’ve been relishing the change of pace that this season of stark landscapes brings for more than 20 years.
I’ve also been helping women entrepreneurs discover the natural rhythms of their businesses, so they grow businesses they love and that love them in return for more than 35 years.
I have learned some important business lessons from Stick Season.
Look past the distractions
Summer mornings are filled with outdoor shoulds like checking the garden, picking, and processing what’s ripe, and tending to whoever is in distress in the garden.
As morning temperatures dip below freezing in early November, I can tune out the busy-ness of the year and listen deeply to what’s next.
Just as I am already planning for next year in the garden, I take the time to create my strategic plan for the following year now, long before I need to implement it.
Taking time now to reap the lessons from this year will help you create a stronger foundation for what’s next.
Time Slows & Expands
The final push in late October to get all the fruits of my labor in from the garden, canned, frozen, dried, packaged, & stored has me feel in kinship with the squirrels.
All the gathering & stowing often leaks into Monday morning and sometimes occupies part of Tuesday.
With an extra hour in my day (thank you time change), and fewer weekend activities, the days feel longer, more restful and I start the week with more energy.
Darker days are an opportunity for deeper sleep & bigger dreams.
Darkness is rejuvenating
When the soil is in constant use, it becomes less fertile.
Depleted soil is more likely to be host to disease, invasive insects, subject to drought, and yields less each year.
All gardens need rest.
Working 60 to 80 hours a week – letting your business leak into your nights & weekends – will leave you tired, resentful, and prone to dis-ease.
Intentionally creating breaks during the day, extended time away from the office, & tapping into the seasonality of your business will allow you to reconnect to why you started your business in the first place.
How are you creating space to get clear about your big vision for next year?
What can you do to relax into the quiet of darkness to hear your dreams calling you?
What can you do today to reconnect to your big why?
Want to Grow a business that you love and loves you back?
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