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There’s a reason that phrase has been around since biblical times. It’s a universal truth that will always hold true. It doesn’t matter that you’re not a farmer either, because no matter what you do, career or personal life, what you put in is what you’ll get out.
Every farmer knows at least one important fact; in order to have a good harvest season, you must do your due diligence and seed. The problem with seeding is that you don’t see the fruits of your labor until some time after the hard work has been done. In fact, during a harvesting season, it’s easy to find comfort in reaping the benefits and not having to worry about your next harvest. Good farmers know that the seeding process is the most important part of the growing cycle. Why do you think metaphors like “you reap what you sow” have come to fruition?
When you start perfecting the art of Personal Branding, the truth of seeding and harvesting becomes much more apparent. Anyone in sales knows intuitively that they must make the cold calls if they’re to ever benefit from a client signing. Are you looking for a new job? Don’t be satisfied with the harvest of a couple interviews. Keep planting the seeds and get more interviews. Open up more opportunities and knock on more doors.
Because seeding is so labor intensive, most people don’t have the guts to keep at it. But if you continue to seed, you harvest will start compounding. Keep at it and don’t let up.
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What a beautiful post and how wise.
Golden Golden Rule: Do unto others (serve them) as they would have done unto them…..
Alternative translation:
If you provide enough other people
what they need in their life
you often get what you need,
sometimes before you know you need it - and often from people you did not realize could/would provide it.
- Kare
In a civilization when love is
gone we turn to justice and when
justice is gone we turn to power
and when power is gone we
turn to violence.
Opportunity is often inconvenient.
Remember the many
compartments of the heart,
the seed of what is
possible. So much of who
we are is defined by
the places we hold for each
other. For it is not our ingenuity
that sets us apart, but our
capacity for love, the
possibility our way will
be lit by grace. Our hearts
prisms, chiseling out the
colors of pure light.
And don’t forget about crop rotation. It’s also easy to get branded as the “tech person” or the “numbers person,” but that could also make it difficult for you to transition into different roles down the road. Work to position yourself as an expert, but don’t forget to build skills and experience that’s outside of your comfort zone.
@Kare: So true. A large portion of seeding can be dedicated towards sharing and helping others. While you aren’t expecting anything in return, good things will come back to you over and over again.
Thanks for the comments.
@Shawn: On my blog, we’ve discussed the issue on whether to niche or not to niche and that is certainly a big topic of discussion when it relates to Personal Branding.
I agree with you that to get siloed (not that I mean to use another farming metaphor) is not usually the most desirable outcome. However, it’s better to be known for one thing than not to be known at all.
I advise getting really good at whatever “you do”, and then like you mention, build the skills and experience to help you expand into broader areas.
Thanks for the comments, Shawn!