2 Things To Remember When Starting A Business

Have you ever read a post that includes both tilling a garden and starting a business?!

Didn’t think so!

But, there’s a first time for everything!

My brain tends to think metaphorically and since we’re friends on here - you lucky ducks get to hear them

So, last year we bought some land and it had two massive raised garden beds in the front area. I was bound and determined to fill those suckers with so many fruits and veggies even though I have never grown anything in my life!

And so, we did - green beans (so many freaking green beans), tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes. It was incredible and we were so amazed by our harvest…especially since we had no clue what we were doing.

So, this year I noticed Instagram friends talking about prepping their garden. Uhhh, shoot, when am I going to get out there and “prep” ours - I use “ ” because I had no clue how to “prep” it.

I texted my aunt as she Is the one who tilled it last year and she said - “just turn the dirt over, but don’t touch the strawberries.” Got it.

I explained to Sean that we needed a tiller, so he and Ellie bought one while they were out. This past Saturday we were out there and he put it together (thanks, babe!) handed it to me, and said - here ya go!

I mixed the gas and oil, read the directions a couple of times, put it up in the garden, and voila it started on the first time.

That was the fun part…

Then I started to till. And when I say till - I mean barely scrapping the concrete-like dirt off the very top and trying not to let it run me out of the garden.

My mind said, “This sucks. I don’t want to do this. This is going to take forever. I just want the fruits and veggies!”

And THAT’S when it hit me!

For most, picking the fruit and veggies tends to be the best part about gardening - much like selling products/services is the best part about business.

BUT - we have to remember two things.

1. We have to start with a strong foundation
2. We need to enjoy the process and journey of getting there

If we don’t enjoy the time between starting and making a sale we’re probably not going to last very long.

Enjoy the customer interaction, enjoying continuing to make the best product/service for your customer, the creation of your email list, the little wins like sending an invoice out on time!

Much like you can enjoy planning what you want to play, seeing the little sprouts, the satisfaction in pulling weeds, and the quietness while watering.

So, I stopped my crappy talk and said, “this is part of it, we literally can’t plant if we don’t do it, and this is going to get easier the more I go over this hard as a rock dirt pile.”

And with sore arm muscles and a blister - it got easier with every pass thought of those dang garden beds.

Remember - selling your product and service is incredible, but remember to enjoy the journey of starting and doing, because that’s really where a lot of fun times can be had!

What parts of your business have created the dreaded negative self-talk where you had to stop yourself and reflect?