Dying on the Vine!
There's a vineyard across the street from our house. I'm glad it's there. It allows me to pretend like I live on a vineyard, without the massive expense of planting and managing my own.
It's visible from nearly every room in the house and provides a daily reminder of the seasons. Each spring, the vines come out of being dormant and brown buds become leaves that move from green to red to orange to yellow and finally back to brown again. Mother Nature is the original performance artist!
This vineyard also hides the Walmart and its parking lot from our view and for that I'm eternally grateful.
I'm not sure about the grape varietals they've grown there, but about half are white, and half are red. Over the last few years, what was once thriving has been looking more and more distressed. And the grapes would hang on the vine long past harvest with no buyers.
I've literally been watching things die on the vine!
Over the past few weeks, I've awoken to the sound of tractors and farm workers. Each morning, I've watched the workers make progress as they first cut the vines from the trellising system, then ripped out all of the vines and roots, then tilled the soil, and finally sprayed God-knows-what on every square inch. Now, the vineyard is bare.
Rumor has it they'll plant cabernet sauvignon, which is amongst the most lucrative grapes to sell in this area. I've learned that it takes 3-4 years after planting new red grapevines to harvest anything worth making wine from, and even more years for the highest-quality wines. Most good things take time.
I can't help but think of this process of death and rebirth as a metaphor for my work and the work of my clients.
So I'm asking myself and others: What's dying on the vine in your work that needs to be ripped out in order to cultivate what's new?
Coaching Exercise
Are you wondering if it's time to rip out some things in your business so you can focus on what you want to grow? Grab a journal and a pen and reflect on the following question:
What parts of your business are no longer thriving?
What parts of your business are feeling harder and harder to sell?
What parts of your business no longer light you up?
What parts of your business no longer resonate with your ideal client?
Which clients or groups of clients no longer make sense for you to serve?
What parts of your business would you give up if you weren't afraid?
What parts of your business don't give you an opportunity to do your best work?
Then, review your answers. Based on everything you wrote, what action steps do you want to take?