One reaps what is sown.
The mind is a wide-open field on which seeds are planted with impact broadcasted to cover just about any area in one’s life — Financially, Materially, Emotionally, Spiritually, Recreationally, Etc.
Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny — Ralph Waldo Emerson
These Law of the Farm principles apply to every facet of life. Life decisions are made daily. The effects of decisions five years ago can be seen in one’s quality of life today. If a bad seed is planted, no fruit or perhaps bad fruit is generated. The overarching truth in the Law of the Farm is in the discipline of cultivation — staying intentional to envision the preferred harvest we expect to produce in life, leadership and in service.
Vital Leadership Lessons of the Farm
Dying to Live — A Seed Can Not Grow Until it Dies
When seeds are planted, they begin to decay and only then can germination and multiplication begin. This law is true across our finances, relationships, and professional growth. When one deliberately invest in others is when the operation of addition shifts to multiplication and true impact is discovered. The death process is in the time and resources invested in others.
Investment — Each Seed Has Capacity to Meet a Future Need
One’s future need can be met by present seed. Seed is not to be kept in dry storage. Seed is not for consumption. Premature harvests will only meet partial need. Create life and leadership disciplines to suspend immediate reward with the hope of a cornucopia of provision for those with patience and self-regulation to endure.
Timing is Everything — There is a Time to Sow and a Time to Reap
Seedtime and harvest has endured since the beginning of time and will continue for as long as time exists. There are strategies for skirting to quicken the process of harvest but the natural rhythm, tempo and balance for growth exists in greatest quality when allowed to take natures best intended channel. Be careful not to shorten the life of your dream/vision by trying to short-circuit natural progressions set out in the seed.
Size Matters Not — The Size of the Seed is Not Directionally Proportioned to the Size of its Potential
A mustard seed grows to a huge tree while a maize seed (bigger than mustard) develops into a perennial maize plant which is nowhere near the size of the size of the mustard tree. One can often observe organizational leaders perplexed by imbalance of linear investments. A dollar invested in one opportunity might be magnified by 2x. Another might be 10x. Sow seed in people’s lives in the dimmest of light and headline and watch how the seemingly insignificant seed takes root in magnanimous proportion. The heart matters!
Soil Matters — The Condition of the Soil is an Essential Factor for Growth
Growth requires fertile soil, the correct amount of moisture, and the right temperature. The plant will grow favorably with the right amount of nutrients in the soil and access to water. Every dream requires a conducive climate for development. The outcome of your seed is dependent on the setting of the correct environment and conditions for its manifestation of full potential.
Blueprint — The Core of the Seed Determines the Performance
At the core of every seed is an embryo. The embryo has the blueprint of the plant in terms of all instructions pertaining to the genetics and character of the plant to be. If the seeds of the mind are engaged in the correct instructions (habits), the outcome in terms of character is positive. Over time, what enters the mind in terms of stimulus will be reliable to the response observed in words, deeds and actions.
Location. Location. Location. — Where the Seed is Sown Will Impact the Quality of the Produce
Farmers thoughtfully determine where to maximize the seed’s potential. Likewise, leaders must be mindful of keystone habits of maximizing investments toward healthy organizational cultures and performance. Life and leadership are not great arenas for sloppy and unwise ventures. Having a solid council of reference to provide insight, wisdom, challenge and support is most important when considering investing our seed for growth, development and potential.
It’s Personal — Each Seed has an Identity
A farmer can almost predict a yield based on the measure and quality of seed sown. When positive people and messages influence the mind, it is expected that those impacted will pay even more forward. Like the sign in the junior high lunchroom reads, “We are What We Eat.”
Model Teacher — A Seed Teaches Resilience and the Power of Overcoming
When a seed is buried in the ground whether by mistake or by intent, it has to fight its way up all by itself. The sower can no longer be the lifeline of support. Each of us must plant seeds that stand the test of time and the challenges of crisis, loneliness, weariness fear, doubt and betrayal.
Prevent Defense — Each Seed is Equipped to Protect
When a seed’s protective cover is removed, the core of the seed suffers and dies, never to see the joys of germination. In life and leadership, it is common to use our natural instincts to defend against unwanted or unhealthy activity.Having one’s guard up to fight for the highest possible good in the lives of others is the mark of a leader worth following.
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