Lessons from the Backyard

 One week into the new norm of being laid off, I’m discovering how much I appreciate the quiet mornings.

Instead of grabbing my coffee and heading straight to my home office – or jumping in the car to head to work – I sit on my back patio with my dogs, my thoughts, and the sound of birds. I enjoy my coffee and map out my day.

Watching the birds brings a phrase to life that I’ve often shared with my team: “Stick your beak in the ground.”

I know it sounds simple and a little quirky, but stay with me – there’s something powerful in it.

Birds have the daily challenge of finding food. They don’t know where their next meal is coming from. There’s no pantry, no fridge - just the open earth and the hope that something’s waiting.

And so they do what they know to do: they stick their beak in the ground - again and again -until they find something.

They’re not responsible for what’s in the ground. They are responsible for showing up and doing the work.

Sometimes they get lucky on the first try. But often, it takes time. effort. focus. determination.

In my current job search, it feels like I’m sticking my beak in the ground over and over—networking, applying, reaching out. I see some people stick their beak in the ground once and come up with an offer. Others are working hard and are still empty-handed. And while that can be discouraging, I remind myself:

I’m not responsible for putting worms in the ground. But I am responsible for showing up and putting in the work.

This is what we call grit. hustle. resolve. fortitude.

So whether you’re looking for a job, trying to get a project off the ground, trying to land that client, or just feeling a little stuck in life –

Keep showing up. Keep sticking your beak in the ground. You never know when, or where, your worm is waiting.

If I can support you in any way, reach out. We don’t have to do this alone.