Seeds > Trees

Good morning and Happy Friday!  

We did all of our own landscaping on our new house when we moved in to our new house- planted trees, installed a drip irrigation system, mulched- the works.  

It was a pile of work, but we saved a pile of money and always operate out of the idea that “if we can do it ourselves, why not?”

About two weeks after we planted most of our trees, we noticed something really bizarre- every single one of them looked dead.  Not dead like “oh…they’ll be ok…they’re limping along…”  They were dead like, “there’s no leaves and that’s clearly not doing ok…”. 

We had a landscaper tell us there was no hope and to start thinking about other options and a nursery tell us that it looked less than ideal. 

In spite of this, we felt like we did everything right and to just give it time.  

Over time, we started to notice these little changes happen: 

The pines started to sprout really bright pieces of new growth.

And, our lindens started to have these small little buds growing in on them- signs of new life.  The oak showed the same and nearly all of the shrubs started to shed their dead leaves and produce beautiful blooms.  

It turns out they weren’t dead at all.  They were adjusting. 

It reminded me of a quote I love by James Clear: “Focus on the seeds, not the trees…” 

Trees don’t start as trees.  They start as seeds.  

We don’t plant any of these tress for what they would be this year.  We planted (and placed them) for what they’d turn into 10 years from now- the shade they’d provide for our boys’ room and the fall colors we’ll watch out the window in October. 

Clear goes on to ask the rhetorical question: “What seeds are you planting today…?”

Feel free to answer that, but know the outcome you want won’t show up tomorrow.  

Don’t listen to the nursery or landscapers in your life if you feel like you’re on the right path.  Like our trees, it’ll take time, attention, intention, yeah- a little time to adjust to the change.  

But, also like our trees, you’ll see some really great things start to happen over time. 

Have a great weekend, 

Kyle

The Friday Letters are from the emails I have sent every Friday for the last 8+ years to our clients as a part of our check-ins. I always try to include a nugget I am learning in my own life. Many of our clients have expressed how impactful these have been, so we've decided to share them with the rest of the world. I hope you enjoy it.