October is one of my favorite months here on the farm. The temperatures finally begin to cool, and after surviving another Las Vegas summer, being outside becomes enjoyable again!
It's also the time of year when I get the itch to tackle projects. You know, those little improvements and unfinished tasks that have been living rent-free in my head since spring? Suddenly, cooler weather makes me want to get ALL of them done. 💪🏻😅
But lately, I've been working on changing that mindset.
I recently recognized something about myself: I have a habit of rewarding efficiency with more obligations.
I love finding ways to make things better. Improving a process, solving a problem, or completing a project gives me an incredible sense of satisfaction. But somewhere along the way, I started treating every good idea as something that needed to be accomplished.
And that's exhausting!
So I've been experimenting with a new approach. One that allows me to appreciate my ideas without feeling obligated to act on every single one.
Naturally, I turned it into a garden. 🌱
I created a spreadsheet where my ideas can land, grow, or occasionally be set aside for another season.
And then there's my Harvest, where I celebrate what I've actually accomplished.
Every Friday is my designated CEO Day. That's when I review the garden and decide which ideas deserve to become approved projects. Not every idea makes the cut, and that's kind of the point!
I'm also learning to appreciate progress differently. I've dedicated certain days to different areas of the farm and business, and sometimes an hour of focused attention is enough to call that day a win.
It's only been a couple of weeks, but something interesting has happened. I feel like I'm accomplishing more, even though I'm consciously choosing to take on less.
Perhaps it's because I'm no longer carrying the mental weight of every idea I've ever had.
And I'm discovering that there's satisfaction not only in making something better, but also in recognizing when something is perfectly fine being left alone.
Not every seed needs to be planted. Not every seed we plant will sprout. And not everything that grows needs to be tended right now.
Ideas are wonderful. I hope I never stop having them! But a good idea isn't necessarily the right idea for this season.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is give our great ideas the space and attention they deserve, while allowing the others to rest.
After all, even a garden needs a little breathing room. 🍀
Curious about my Idea Garden? If you'd like a closer look at the spreadsheet and how I'm using it to manage ideas, projects, and priorities, let me know! I might do a deeper dive and share what's working (and what I'm still figuring out). 🌱
