Reap what you sow.

Phew! The last 10 days around here have been a blur. Late last night, I sat at my desk uploading photos from workshops and catching up on emails that were sitting idle in my inbox after what has been a truly rewarding stretch. I felt grateful for the harvest.

We wrapped up focus groups with a Best Place to Work client, hosted a new client at the Fischer Theatre for a team building workshop, launched the Vermilion Advantage Leadership Tomorrow Class 34 and its second annual Amazing Race Vermilion County, supported a new Human Capital Client with HR services, and launched a big strategic planning project with the North Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation.

If you’ve been following along with Rise + Grind, you know that not long ago I was struggling in the growth process. Some days I lose sight of the breadth and depth of the impact of our small firm and other days I’m in awe of it.

The cycle of concept to fruition reminds me of the farmer who carefully selects the best seeds, prepares the soil, and diligently tends to the crops. It takes time, effort, and perseverance before the first signs of growth appear. But once the seeds have sprouted and flourished, the rewards are abundant.

I know this harvest season in my business is a result of diligently tending to clients, cultivating relationships, and planting the seeds of impact that we now enjoy through the success of these projects. Just as I know the previous season of challenges and setbacks are a result of procrastination, fatigue, and the consequence of watering someone else’s lawn. Reflecting on that hard season is an opportunity for introspection and learning so that I may adjust and plant new seeds for the future.

So, whether it be at your desk recapping a fulfilling week or at happy hour toasting a big win, let us always remember to express gratitude for the harvest in our lives. Gratitude amplifies the joy of reaping what we sow and deepens our appreciation for the journey that led us here.