Germinating seeds into sprouts

One of the principles in our first book is to think of the tiny seed to the giant oak concept. Simply put, we need to start very small and nurture the smallest successes in order for the seed to sprout. It’s like planting a seed for your garden. At first, it looks like nothing is happening, but if you nurture it, you will offer friends to take some veggies off your hands. 

Seeds need the proper environment to sprout. They take certain conditions such as temperature, moisture, and time to name a few. Once a seed has spouted, it still needs certain conditions, but they are far less fragile than a seedling in the soil. Likewise, a small plant is far more independent of ideal conditions than a sapling. 

It helps to think of the process like a seed or a child when changing or improving ourselves. Everything we said about the seed holds for the human as well. A child in a mother’s womb needs certain protection and, when first born, does not become independent for a long time. Yet, every great human that grew into a great soul started as a helpless infant. 

Thinking of our abilities as tools

In our book, we treat our mental and physical capacities as tools. Like tools, these capacities are used and can be sharpened. This makes us more competent.  

One way we sharpen our abilities is to work at the proper pace and focus because it continues our momentum. We do this by working the best we can but try not to rush. Again, consider sharpening a tool like planning a seed when you start working on it. If you give it the proper pace and focus, it will produce a sprout. It can’t become a giant oak if it never sprouts. Work at the appropriate pace and focus and embrace change. Knowledge alone is not the goal. Results are the goal.

One tool we stress is the tool of habit. Action steps build habit. Starting small, celebrating your smallest wins, and adding the “proper pace and focus” will reap the benefit of change. Repetition is essential, and that is not bullshit. You must do the work, but you should also enjoy the journey. Starting small makes it more enjoyable. Celebration makes it more enjoyable. The proper pace and focus avoid stress. This process allows you to notice that being a good boss to yourself is rewarding. 

Practical Examples

Let’s say you study your journal pages and feel out of shape. What simple seed-like physical activity can you stick into your routine that will create small changes? Look for the easy stuff, like using the steps instead of the elevator. Maybe enjoy a walk to the coffee shop with your favorite playlist music instead of driving on lunch break. Try to get a beginning stretch routine two times a week on days when you have the time. Get those types of items on your to-do list. If it is that important to you, make it an “A” priority.

Seeds to oak trees – So, at this point in my getting in shape journey, I am getting traction in my routine. I am starting to see the benefit of starting in small ways to get traction and not drop them out of my life. I can see this makes things straightforward yet effective. Next, I up my game by stating I will start doing 25 push-ups and 25 sit-ups daily, taking Sundays off—no other rules. I can do them in whatever quantity and number of sessions I want as long as I get 25 of each done. I’m excited. I think starting small is efficient, for sure. 

The cool thing about working your goal this way is that while you reap the benefit of getting in shape, you also improve your ability to change and control your habits. 

The exact process can be employed for a mental habit. It will also help you start a hobby you always wanted to start. Look at your journaled desires to decide what you like. That is the start. Next, break it into small seed-size pieces that you can win with as a start. Get those on your to-do list. That is the next baby step. Celebrate the small wins.  

Much of the processes used in “You Becoming the Boss of You” is like planting a seed. It looks like nothing is happening initially, but it grows beyond measure. I love the plant analogy because we often make mental progress before seeing it appear in action. If you have read the book, you already know that if you work through the action steps outlined, you’ll break through. Be patient and stay focused; external changes follow.

Don’t overwhelm yourself

As you try to implement this seed-to-giant oak concept in your life, it is important not to overwhelm yourself. Work on a few important things and build habits. Take in the concepts. See if there are one or two small things that you want to integrate into your routine to become efficient. Be selective about what you will plant for yourself. Plant a few seeds and choose small action steps that can lead to habits of success. 

Remembering that all seeds have the DNA to produce a plant is wise. All that you require for success is already in you. Yet, if you sow seeds, not all make a sprout. They need the right environment. You are now learning to produce the right environment to Be the Boss of You. Ask yourself, “What’s the best use of my time?“ It is also important to have patience with yourself. Your ability to change can also be in the seedling stage. Keep journaling. Sharpen a few tools at a time, and don’t overwhelm yourself. . It’s funny about your tools: like seeds, they can grow into a grand tree in the right environment and with time. You can become a great boss to yourself and increase your health, wealth, and happiness. 

Gratitude

One thing we stressed, and I mentioned in the book as I shared some early journaling notes, was the importance of journaling and celebrating your successes. It might sound silly but celebrate even the seedlings that are not yet sprouting. If it is your desire, then it is essential to you. Keep the momentum going. Indeed, celebrate any positive feelings toward your progress. 

“Your effectiveness is about priorities. Your priorities.” Ishall Dogood

I could write an entire book on gratitude because it is so important. I probably will. Make gratitude a daily practice. Put gratitude in your journal. Note appreciation to those around you. Celebrate the simple pleasures Use gratitude to be thankful for what you have; it will also help you attract the health, wealth, and happiness you want. 

 

Responsibility and understanding change 

Life is not ruled by knowledge alone. The seeds of knowledge cannot develop themselves. Knowledge not turned into practical application passes through the mind and dissipates. It is lost. It is almost as if it did not exist. On a practical matter, life is ruled by society’s conventions, our past precedents, and our habits. Let’s look at all three.

• Societies conventions – These act like a judge or a law that affects our future actions. The court of society makes decisions based on past events and puts pressure on us to conform. We must work within the social structure to be successful, but we should not let it rule us thoughtlessly. Unfortunately, many of us do. We act like sheep, unconsciously and wholeheartedly swallowing the doctrine of the newest social media or political trend without even giving it thought. If we need to change, we may have to see how we can free ourselves of limiting attitudes caused by societal norms.  
• Our precedent – From our past attitudes, programming, and society’s conventions, we form the precedent we use to run our day-to-day lives. This works for us, for sure, but it makes change hard. Like attitudes, these are the unwritten rules we apply unconsciously. Unlike societal conventions where everyone is expected to act in a particular manner, our precedents are unique but have the same programming effect on us. If we want to change ourselves, we must look at our unconscious programming and ensure it is not holding us back.  
• Habit – We have seen that our habit rules over us because they lead to unconscious actions. Once something is a habit, we no longer have to think about it. Like the other two above, this is an excellent aid to us. It makes us very efficient. Also, like the others above, they get in the way of forming new, updated habits for growth. Forming new habits is the way to free yourself from limiting societal norms and outdated presents that we use to control us unconsciously. Now you see why we have focused so much on habit.  

In our book, we have a chapter on responsibility. Part of that was analyzing what works so you can be practical and take responsibility. As the boss, you must put together systems that work for you. It’s more than okay to copy other great ideas when you start. Ultimately, you will never reach your full potential until you learn how to set up systems that work for you. Let’s take a simple example. 

I wanted to lose weight and get in shape. Who doesn’t? If you remember, I started with a tiny seed of only 25 push-ups a day, and it did not matter how many sets I had to do to get to the 25. You may laugh, but it took me four sets when I started. I had let my body atrophy so severely that I could only do eight at once. So, the first day was a set of eight, then seven. Then six. Followed by the remaining four to make 25. Pathetic right. I celebrated the first day I could do over 10 in the first set. That system is easy because the amount of work involved is manageable. It does not take that much time. 

However, as time passed, I wanted to get on a bike for 25-40 minutes most days. I also wanted to add to my stretch routine. Last, I desired to tone more, which meant time at the gym became essential. That is a lot more work than 25 pushups. It also takes a lot more time. I had to create a system that worked for me to do that properly. 

If you do not take responsibility to set up systems that work for you as you start to do more complex things, you will probably quit. In addition, if you do not celebrate and reward yourself, you may fall prey to losing momentum. Habit is a funny thing. It does not want us to change. That is why we start small. We begin with seeds and celebrate the slightest success. Later, we must set systems that work with our lives to continue growing. And yes, we still celebrate. 

Thinking of tool development, like planting a seed, is so helpful. Be patient, journal, observe, and celebrate small growth. Once it becomes habitual, you can focus on other tools, allowing your subconscious mind to work for you effortlessly. If you decide to sharpen it in the future, it gets easier. Your tool is no longer a sapling. You don’t need to baby it anymore. Just add proper pace and focus from where you left off with it using your other now sharper tools. Think of it like adding some fertilizer and a little pruning, and it’s growing again. 

Some people have very distracting lives. They can bounce from one thing to another to another. They may not feel they have progressed much, and if they bounce around a lot, they are probably correct. I suggest using our e-book and workbook and completing the full 90 days of the workbook. Once you do that, you can look back at yourself compared to day one. That should clear things up for you. Your progress started as seeds. Were nurtured into saplings. Then became plants and on their way to small trees. Any of which can turn into extraordinary giant oaks. You make your future action steps. You become the creative genius that molds your life. You truly become the boss of yourself.

Deep dive journaling 

I love using the workbook and I love what I call Deep Dive Journaling. When you deep dive, you foster your creativity. Then, you can devise specific ways to sharpen a tool. Working out a plan for the areas you want to improve becomes easier.

1. I knew a musician who decided to use the tool of open-mindedness to work in genres they neglected in the past. They nurtured a seed to spout and then to the giant oak. They started with music just slightly out of their comfort range and have mastered it. 
2. They embraced change. During one deep dive session, they realized they avoided failure more than was optimal, and this was holding them back. This was confirmed by the items they procrastinated on when they reviewed their to-do lists at night. They did a few deep dives into this. They consciously used the tool of a positive attitude and an attitude toward change to start seeing uncomfortable feelings as messages from the subconscious of areas of opportunity for growth.
3. They decided to consciously use mindfulness, meditation, and quiet time to reduce their stress about the lack of creativity. They decided they would give the process the proper pace and focus, and that would stop them from the anxiety that was holding them back.  

I repeat, fear and anxiety are real. Yet those that have concurred or reduced fear did it with the help of a path. That path can include a therapist, preacher, friend, books, journalling, or a combination. Finding the right path helps us see that the ability to cope is inside us. Like many things, do not be afraid to start small if you are on a path to overcoming fear and anxiety. Conquer something so small that you can get a win. Grow the seed from there. Know what to bite off. Seek help on your path. Only try to tackle a giant dragon when you are ready. That’s being a good boss to you. 

In “Become the Boss of You,” we discuss a scene from the Disney Movie “The Lion King.” Simba confronts his fears and the potential he is running away from by being thoughtlessly busy. Once Simba faced his fears, he could do something badass. We then start feeling good about ourselves and seeing ourselves differently. We notice the human potential within us. We are no longer afraid to face Scar or slay a dragon. Simba acts because the vision helps him remember who he is. He also gets help from the wise baboon named Rafiki. Things like that do happen. When we focus, good shit can happen. Thoughts, people, and events show up to aid us.

So, we see that simply noting something that we once would not look at can be the start of a journey from seed to tree. It is surprising how much help can come when we shed fear. It also helps us work in service of others.

Jot down this last helpful reminder if you decide to pick up our e-book and workbook to help you on your life journey. It is a reminder about happiness.

Happiness 

Happiness is a personal thing, for sure. If you would like more happiness in your life, treat it like any other desire. It starts by being honest with yourself. Don’t bullshit yourself. Even elusive things like happiness can be worked on. Look for small but practical wins. Celebrate those in a big way and grow the seed into a plant. Don’t put yourself last. Give the seed of happiness the same care you would give a baby. Care for it. It is important. 

Peace, Ishall Dogood

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