Hey there Monsters,

I recently had an eye-opening experience, all thanks to the wisdom of the Big Boss. He taught me a vital lesson that has completely transformed my approach to work – the importance of pruning. As he often said, “less is more.”

Actually, the Big Boss lived by a well known concept, courtesy of Henry Cloud’s insightful book “Necessary Endings.” It’s all about pruning – a process we usually associate with gardening but one that is surprisingly applicable to our bustling professional lives.

Think of it this way: just like a rose bush needs pruning to bloom beautifully, we too need to trim away the unnecessary branches in our lives. With our tendency to take on too many tasks at once, we often lose sight of what truly matters. The overflow of activities can quickly lead to burnout. But fear not, my dear Monsters, pruning is the key.

Here’s what I did: I cleared my calendar and focused solely on my top five priority areas, letting go of the rest. It’s a powerful exercise, one that I encourage you to try too. Think about three areas in your life that are overwhelming you:

• Is it a colleague who constantly interrupts your flow at work?
• Is it a direct report who consumes most of your time and energy?
• Is it a client who demands constant attention without contributing to the bottom line?
• Is it a project that seems to be going nowhere, eating up resources and time?

Chances are, there’s a time vacuum in your calendar. And though I may not be a life coach, I urge you to consider the activities or people that are consuming a significant portion of your personal time. Ask yourself: Is this investment truly beneficial to me? Does it bring me any form of fulfillment? If not, it’s time to draw a line in the sand.

The key, my dear Monsters, is to replace these time-consuming activities with something that genuinely adds value to your life. It might sound tough, especially when it comes to relationships outside of work, but it’s essential. After all, we all have the same twenty-four hours each day – let’s make sure we use them wisely.

When it comes to work, setting boundaries can be simpler. Start with those activities that don’t add value. Trim away the first branches that are hindering your growth. Remember, this isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing process. I suggest scheduling a weekly pruning appointment in your calendar to reflect on what you can do to streamline your activities.

I must confess, it took me a while to understand the magic of pruning. But as I delved deeper into the practice, it became clear that cutting back on certain activities, areas of business, and even strategic initiatives is essential for sustainable growth. Of course, this doesn’t mean abandoning projects arbitrarily – always have a solid reason for doing so. And for everything else, see it through to the end.

Take meetings, for instance – the notorious time-sucker in the workplace. You don’t need to be in the top hierarchy to declutter your work life. It can be as simple as structuring meetings with your team or cutting down on unnecessary interruptions throughout the day.

I once had the privilege of working with a Big Boss who was a pro at this. He rarely let meetings exceed thirty minutes and always had a clear purpose in mind. He evaluated the necessity of calls and even delegated when needed. Remember, dear Monsters, anything that doesn’t align with your goals is fair game for the shears. Be relentless, but always maintain kindness and respect.

So, even if you don’t have a green thumb, start pruning now. It’s what helped me gain control over my work priorities, allowing me to focus on what truly matters. I realized that “less is more” isn’t just about accessorizing your outfit – it’s a rule for organizing your day and your life.

And this really got me thinking about the similarities that leadership has with gardening… the analogies are plenty. Teams are like gardens and leaders are responsible to nurture each plant, giving it exactly what it needs:

1. Nurturing Growth: Just as a gardener nurtures the growth of plants, a leader fosters the development and potential of their team members.
2. Providing a Supportive Environment: Like how a gardener ensures the right conditions for plants to thrive, a leader creates a supportive environment that encourages productivity and success.
3. Weeding Out Negativity: Just as a gardener removes weeds that hinder a plant’s growth, a leader identifies and eliminates negativity or obstacles within the team or organization.
4. Sowing Seeds of Innovation: Like a gardener planting new seeds, a leader fosters a culture of innovation by encouraging fresh ideas and approaches.
5. Fostering Resilience: Similar to how a gardener ensures plants can withstand adverse conditions, a leader cultivates resilience within the team to navigate challenges and setbacks.
6. Harvesting Results: Like a gardener reaping the rewards of a bountiful harvest, a leader celebrates the accomplishments and successes of their team.
7. Adapting to Change: Just as a gardener adjusts their strategies according to seasons, a leader adapts their approach to accommodate changes in the market and workplace dynamics.
8. Caring for Diversity: Similar to how a gardener tends to various plant species, a leader values and celebrates the diversity within their team, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

So, dear Monsters, leadership seems to be rooted in nature, just as much as plants do. The key is to stay committed to the process and always strive for growth.

With a little pruning, you’ll find yourself thriving in no time.

Until next time,

Helena

Photo by Pelargoniums for Europe on Unsplash