There’s a lot of satisfaction in gardening.

Plus entrepreneurs can learn a lot from it.

There is absolutely nothing like digging your fingers into the dirt. The truth is that working the soil grounds me. Like business, gardening allows me to create a product that other people in my life can enjoy. At the same time that I am taught patience, it feeds my soul. I am at the whim of Mother Nature. But, as each season passes, I have another opportunity to improve.

As a female entrepreneur, hobbies allow us to escape from the stress of work.  Life can be a bit intense at times. Hobbies can provide us with an outlet for creativity and stress relief.  It’s a well-known fact that creative spaces are energizing and they can help us maintain our sense of identity outside of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs do many things that others have no idea what it takes to stay in business. Just as a gardener must care for their plants, entrepreneurs must also constantly nurture their businesses. If they stop working, their businesses will wither and die. There are some similarities between growing a garden of zinnias and running a business you can probably see. If not, let me enlighten you.

1. Ability to learn.

Becoming an entrepreneur doesn’t happen overnight. It takes skill.  It’s nearly impossible to learn how to find success on your own. You might be able to pull it off, but there’s a larger chance that you’ll give up trying.

Learning is essential to both gardening and entrepreneurship. Things are changing constantly. Having an initial desire to learn will help your business get off the ground, but having a continuous desire to learn will ensure it survives and is able to adapt. I promise you there will be obstacles that pop up and you must have a willingness to learn and persevere.

There will always be multiple questions, however, there will always be multiple resources–from seasoned gardeners to experienced business mentors.

2. You reap what you sew.

There’s no denying that one of the best parts of being an entrepreneur is the complete freedom you have to do your own thing.  This is a lesson which is true in both a literal and figurative sense — you reap what you sow. The key to your success is in the planning, in the strategy, and in being clear on your vision.

Although stories of unicorns captivate popular attention, the truth is that most successful entrepreneurs have worked hard at building a business before it becomes established or making a profit.

I was a bit ambitious the first year planting zinnias. I purchased 13 envelopes of seeds. It was a lot, and I was excited. This happens as an entrepreneur. Sometimes your excitement prevents you from thinking logically.  I overestimated how many zinnias I could plant in my garden. It was a good lesson in planning and moderation for me. 

3. Out of the frying pan and into the … dirt?

Did I mention patience yet? First came the worry that I planted too early or that I planted the seeds too close to each other. It required a lot of patience waiting for the green sprouts to pop through.

As soon as my seedlings started popping up so did the rabbits and the beetles. It was discouraging knowing my efforts had turned into a salad. I had to take action and discovered the infamous coyote urine–who knew?! I wasn’t losing sleep, however, I was frustrated.

The lesson? Focus on the long-term goal instead of flaring up and then flaming out suddenly. Entrepreneurs also have to think about decisions in terms of seasons and stages. For example, you start learning a new social media platform, but doing so gives you less time towards nurturing current relationships and partnerships. Your new aggressive strategy requires a more holistic approach to long-term benefits. 

The garden required my attention when the rabbits and beetles showed up, which made me realize that everything works together. My zinnias needed my attention not just sunlight and water after the seeds were sewn. Perhaps planting 13 packets of zinnia seeds was careless. As an entrepreneur, it’s natural to be a risk-taker. We learn from our failures in both gardening and entrepreneurship.

Be a risk taker, but be smart about it. Both take time and effort even if you think you’re already prepared. It’s a battle of patience and timing. You want to do your research and minimize the risk as much as possible. Like waiting for the last frost before planting your precious seeds in the ground. In business your efforts make or break you. There is nothing to prepare you for how the economy might change or another pandemic. Despite the intense prep work and advice from mentors, you will still have obstacles.

4. If not now, when?

Remember: There is never a RIGHT time. The time is now. Don’t wait for next week, next month, or next year. You can analyze a situation to death and still not be ready for the outcome. Eventually, you just have to go for it.

I had thought about growing a garden of zinnias for many years. Now my only regret was not giving it a try sooner. What were the risks? I really didn’t know what I was doing, but decided how hard could it be. Other than the time commitment, the risk was small. Did I have enough time in my already busy life?

As an entrepreneur, you’re a decision-maker.  Despite the prep work and advice from mentors, you can still have problems and regrets. There’s nothing you can do to prevent bad weather (wind, rain, hail, etc.) but fortunately, zinnias are a flower that doesn’t require a lot of effort or time. Each year they have given me extra time to enjoy the benefits of hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterflies.

My biggest fear is looking back on my life and regretting not taking a risk because of fear of failure or time. I don’t want to reach a point in life only wondering what could’ve happened if I tried.

5. Enjoying accomplishment.

The sense of accomplishment is what feeds entrepreneurs. My family and neighbors were quite surprised at the large garden I was growing. I won’t’ regret the extra work added to my day. But I will always remember the exhilarating feeling after months of groundwork, I finally experienced what it was like to have bouquets of beautiful flowers. 

The fruits of my labor was exciting to be able to share with everyone. My zinnias were a gift I could give with no expectation of something in return. This sense of accomplishment is what feeds entrepreneurs.

When all of the hard work is done–the long hours, the uncertainty and lonely exhausting days seem like small prices to pay. Gardeners and entrepreneurs thrive because they know the thrill that success brings and they’re willing to work for it. Both may not be is easy or fun all of the time, but the satisfaction they bring makes the sacrifices worth it.

Actually both can keep you grounded–both literally and figuratively.

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Lisa Carmichael ~ Owner & Creator of EPIK Mastermind
lisarcarmichael.com