Blooming fruit again

Sometimes as a leader I have been so caught up with strategy, planning, execution and our progress that I don't always take time to pause, reflect and realign for improvement.  Sometimes, when we don't take the time to do those important elements of leadership, situations bring us to that point where we have nothing but time, stillness and possibly even void.

One of the most calming and reassuring quotes from scripture is "Be still and know I am God".  This points directly to the importance of pause and reflection.  It reminds us that many things are beyond our control and our reach, and that in the stillness we find many things.

I remember a time when I had spent nearly 3 years working on a new business strategy within a larger company.  We hired people, we pushed the new brand, we invested countless hours and resources to sell our new solutions.  While progress was made, many circumstances resulted in ultimately the business being shut down.  Upon finding out that decision, it was very difficult to face my staff, and also difficult to even know what to do.  My time was focused on the future and growth, and now, I had nothing to do but begin to shut things down.

When as a leader you find yourself with a failed business strategy, or a lack of direction, or a time where you are not bearing fruit, you need to be still.  You need to use this time to reflect on where you have been and what you have learned.  You need to also be completely still, just allowing this time to prepare you for the new season of growth coming ahead.

Each winter in the north the trees, the vines and fruit bearing plants go dormant, they do so and use the time to prepare for the upcoming spring.  Each year, they return stronger, bigger, with new blooms and growth and bearing even more fruit than they did previously.  Make sure that in your winter, in the stillness you let the time and stillness work, and ultimately prepare you.  Use the reflection and preparation for the spring time ahead, and even when you are anxious, don't rush spring, it will come when you are ready to bloom again.