Slow down to fit in

Around this time, two years ago, I was spending my last days at Johnson Controls. Since then, my life apparently slowed down. I almost don't fly anymore and sleep out rarely. No conference calls. I actively avoid meetings in the city centre as often as possible. My inbox gets more spam that real stuff. My phone almost never rings. I drive a (very) small car, own a wonderful female dog and have a medium sized garden that gets my full attention during week ends. Friends and business partners still struggle to understand and respect my choice of a slower life.

In fact defining my life today as "slower" is incorrect. I am experiencing a highly creative, productive and at times fast self. Today, what changed is that I am in charge of my existence in every aspect of it. I run my day. Whether it's a good day or a bad day. I own it and am personally and directly accountable. No excuses are accepted, because there's nobody who will listen, evaluate and eventually release you. No way out, no monster to fight, no one to blame. Because when you're free, you may feel alone and if you're lucky, you become aware of the deepest meaning of trust, self-esteem and faith.

Together with my youngest sister and partner, we are running an online shop, designing clocks for kids, investing in start-ups and acting as external marketing department for national and international professionals, start-up companies and niche producers. In terms of income, business is starting to ramp up, very slowly but surely. This is the real slow side of my life today.

The analogy between "starting up a business" and "growing a garden" is amazing. Nature has it's own plan as the market does. You think you are planning your business (garden) and then season after season you recognize some of it has grown according to plan, but most of it has been taken over by the market (nature). Your job is to participate with an open heart and a sharp mind. Be patient. Give with generosity even when the outcome is uncertain. Your efforts are rarely unrewarded.

#Gardening #BusinessStrategy #BusinessPlanning