Last March, a CEO client of mine moved his personal office from his corporate headquarters overlooking the Hudson River in New York City to his kitchen table.
While packing up to work from home, he decided to move a plant that had for many years been tucked into a spot between the two windows of his corner office.
The plant had never really thrived or showed signs of growth, but it wasn’t dead either because, well, the leaves were green.
He took it home.
His wife repotted the plant and centered it in an East facing window in their living room.
Other than that, they made no big changes to the care of the plant except for the new vantage point; some new perspective of light on the leaves.
In the few months of quarantine, this plant that hadn’t shown signs of growth in years has doubled in size all because it was moved from an environment of stagnation to something fresh, new and unexpected.
One small change in perspective can make all the difference.
I’ve seen that in my own life as well.
I think of years past when I was failing and not growing in any meaningful way.
I blamed circumstances beyond my control and beat myself down. I told myself I was a victim ignored in the corner, not achieving what I knew I deserved and was capable of.
I was dead center of not believing in myself or being believed in.
I was living ignored on the corner of not growing and not dead.
It was not easy to cut my losses and pull up my roots from the comfort of familiar.
It was a risk.
I invested in possibility. I didn’t give in to negative circumstances. I made a hope-filled choice for my growth.
I know how it feels to be like that plant living more dead than alive. I know what it feels like to have potential inside that is imperceptible to others.
I also know the “AWE” feeling where the growth becomes obvious and undeniable.
I see it with my Coaching Clients as well. One small change or a series of incrementally small consistent habits and their lives and their businesses go from near dead to blooming with opportunity.
My client’s story about his plant just reminded me of what I already know. I’m here to tell you that this story is not about potted plants at all.
It’s for you, right now, in the midst of impossible circumstances where you only feel stuck.
Growth mode is one change away.
Cathleen Mancino is a Peak Performance Sales and Leadership Coach specializing in helping clients make impactful presentations that get clients motivated to make decisions! For more information or to schedule a private session with Cathleen, visit www.theslingshotmethod.com or schedule an introduction by clicking here https://calendly.com/mybestslingshot/15min