Plant. Cultivate. Harvest.

In a culture conditioned towards immediate gratification, we tend to expect our lives to peak by going from Plant straight to Harvest.

Making choices based on this structure often leave us with high, highs, and low, lows. Decisions that get us that quick hit, but leave us feeling even lower, or in a worse position than we were before. Making choices without taking the time to cultivate gives us momentary delight, but is ultimately unsustainable.

Making choices with the following structure has taught me to slow down, and ultimately brought me peace and clarity in so many areas of my life. Perhaps it can do the same for you.

First…

Plant — “Place or fix in a specified position”

I’m a big Baseball fan. One of my favorite things to do is watch the way ball players line up before they bat. Often you will see them walk to their preferred spot in the batters box and dig their back foot into the dirt. Planting it in the position that will give them ultimately stability for their swing. This is vital to ensuring they get the most power as they bring the bat forward, and make contact with the ball. The next time you watch a game, pay attention to this small detail and the way it allows them to push off that back leg, and through, into their swing.

Planting that foot securely in the dirt is the first action before any other batting rhythm is set up.

It’s a simple analogy, but the practice can be carried over into many of our decisions.

“Am I planted?”

“Am I in a secure position to move forward here?”

Often if we aren’t, we find ourselves missing the mark, or making a decision that leaves us short of the goal. The art of planting takes practice. It’s a rhythm we have to build over time. One that has to make the most sense for us.

When approaching a choice, are you digging your foot in firmly?

Do you feel stable? If not, keep practicing. See what works best. Don’t worry if you feel you keep making the same mistakes over and over. You can rewire…