It took me a long time to learn that just as there are seasons in nature, there are seasons of purpose.
If you think about winter, spring, summer, and fall - it's easy to see what's happening in nature during any given season. The ground rests in winter, blossoms to life during spring, matures during summer, and finally generates a harvest during the fall before fading away and settling in for another period of rest.
Most of us don't question the changes happening on the trees and with animals - we've come to expect those changes, and even may say things like "everything in its season..."
But when it comes to our own lives, careers, relationships, and businesses - I've noticed we aren't generally so understanding. One mantra I took up a few years ago was "no flower blooms year-round..." and in the same vein, I recently read this powerful quote on Instagram which was attributed to Maya Angelou - "every storm runs out of rain..."
The same is true for us.
You actually NEED those other seasons to make the harvest all it could be. They're not just "nice to haves" - they're necessities.
For many people, the year 2020 has presented challenges and opportunities to prioritize rest and reflection. Think about it - so many people reported feeling burnt out prior to the coronavirus pandemic, why? Because they had likely been pushing themselves to stay in a. growth and harvest season when their bodies, minds, and spirits needed to stop and rest. And nature has a way of course correcting.
So I want you to think of seasons in an abstract way. A season doesn't have to last 3 months - one season in your business may last one month, while a season in your marriage may last 2 years - but the idea is to zero in on the cadence that is naturally occurring in whatever part of your life you choose to focus on.
Instead of considering yourself behind in one aspect of your life, or beating yourself up as we high achievers are prone to do when you haven't been able to do more, or nothing seems to be "happening" - consider that you may be in a season of reflection and rest instead of a season of creativity and planting. Or you may be in a season of steady maturation and growth that will set you up for that incredible season of harvest.
Wherever you are, remember it's a necessary phase in the cycle - no season is wasted.
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Talk back to me on Instagram - I'm @PURPOSESCAPING
Learn more about me and about my work with high achievers at Package Your Genius Academy.
Thank you to Connor Benjamin Littlejohn for the original theme song and music production. Follow him on Instagram @connorblittlejohn and Soundcloud @DJ Connor B