Don’t Cut Down the Tree Before The Buds Bloom

First of all, can we take some collective deep breaths? Join me for 30 seconds.

A part of me thought I would write to you all about ways to sustain yourself during a crisis. It’s a necessary message, and it’s timely. There’s no denying we’re in crisis mode. But my gut is telling me to share a different message.

When was the last time you looked closely at a tree during winter?

Before last year, I didn’t look closely. I saw leaves fall from the trees in autumn and assumed nothing was happening during its dormant state until spring magically whirled in and threw blooms on branches.

Last year, I did some reading on wintering and started paying closer attention to what was going on with the trees around me. When you look closely, there are buds on the branches of bare trees, signaling that things will bloom when the conditions are right.

Wintering trees remind us that hard work is needed beneath the surface before bountiful blooming—work that isn’t seen and often goes unacknowledged and unappreciated.

We’d be foolish to cut down wintering trees because we don’t see the blooms when we want to. Our desire for constant picturesque foliage would be wasteful and ignorant.

AND YET…

This month, I’ve found myself evaluating my business success solely based on external characteristics, dismissing the buds that have emerged in the branches. This week, I had a moment when I was ready to cut down the tree that is Tamisha Williams Consulting before my buds could bloom.

I was letting my financial concerns and my desire for a robust spring calendar overshadow the incredible opportunities that were right in front of me.

After exhausting all the tools in my toolbox, I reached out to a friend for a pep talk.

HERE’S WHERE THE UNIVERSE STARTED LAUGHING AT ME…

I got off the phone with my friend and headed to a meeting to pitch myself to do workshops at this venue. Before I could get my request out, I was being asked to host a weekly gathering of coaches in the very space.

As I checked my calendar to confirm dates for this weekly gathering, I saw that my trademark for Tamisha Williams Consulting® has been approved.

And the blessings kept rolling in.

So I guess I’m here to say, hang in there.

Keep showing up.

Keep sewing.

Keep serving.

Remain faithful.

Do it, even as you’re doubting.

Our brain’s negativity bias causes us to dismiss progress and focus only on the pain, even though we know there’s no progress without the pain.

Don’t cut down the tree before the buds bloom. You’ve been working hard on that thing. You’ve given your time and energy, so now give your faith. The world needs what you’re developing, creating, supporting, or dreaming up.

What To Do In The Meantime…

Here’s what I did and what I’m continuing to do. Take what’s helpful to you, and leave what’s not.

Do something every day toward your goal.

It wasn’t about doing the same amount of work toward my goal each day but building a habit of doing something each day. If my capacity was low, there was always a tiny task that didn’t require a lot of energy that could be done. That consistency is a momentum booster, and I’m seeing the harvest from two years of showing up, even if just a little each day.

Start the day with some type of mind-body connection.

A month ago, I started a new morning routine: waking up, immediately stretching in bed, turning on my Headspace app, and meditating. I say my prayers as I shower and do my devotional after I get dressed. By the time my little one wakes up, I’ve had an hour to myself. An hour where I was intentionally focused on the present, steeped in gratitude, reflective about my needs and desires, and inspired by the word. My brain didn’t have much room to wander into the past or worry about the future.

Put your progress on display!

This has been a game-changer for me. I took a large sticky note and wrote down all of my blessings in progress. I put it up in my bathroom, where I’m guaranteed to go several times a day. Every time I go in the bathroom, I read the list. It checks any whispers in my head, telling me that things aren’t working in my favor and that it would just be easier to stop now. By the time I get to the bottom of the list, I’m smiling; mood lifted.

Keep some work behind the scenes.

At one point, I found myself spending more time creating posts about my progress than actually making progress. In the age of social media, we’ve been socialized to share at every turn, but sometimes, the better use of time is to keep at it. Sometimes, I just text a friend, share my win, delight in their support, and then resume the work.

End the day with intention.

This was the shift I made this week. I would have fantastic days, and then, in the wee hours of the evening, my brain’s saboteurs would sneak in and start judging my progress and questioning my unique positioning to do what I’ve been called to do in this world. By creating an evening routine, I’ve been able to silence my saboteurs. At the end of each day, I’m now writing in my gratitude journal, doing some type of movement or stretching, reading for pleasure, and then doing a guided meditation to usher me to sleep.

I’m ending this week feeling more grounded and committed than I was at the start. I’m grateful for my dorsal practices and a loving, supportive, and affirming network that helped me shift from my limiting thoughts. If you’re looking for support on ways to integrate routines and practices into your life and leadership, look no further. I’m here to support you. Book a consultation call, and let’s chat about your needs and my services.

What’s something you’re doing to quiet the noise in your mind?

Share below in the comments!