I dug in the dirt all weekend.
There’s a particular kind of joy that only comes from wrestling with the earth, emerging victorious—and delightfully grubby. I love transforming a patch of ordinary soil into a vibrant tapestry of green. It’s a slow-motion act of creation, a living sculpture that continually evolves.
This weekend, my medium was a mix of annuals and perennials. The annuals gave me instant gratification: vibrant color that pops right away, like an 80s one-hit wonder. Fun, flashy, short-lived. Next year, you replant.
Then there are the perennials—the quiet heroes. Once planted, they return year after year. That spirea from last season? Back. The hydrangea from two years ago? Blooming. The daisies from three years back? Still rocking. Compounding, season after season, into a spectacular, ever-evolving landscape.
Annuals or Perennials in Your Life?
It begs a deeper question: Are you planting annuals or perennials in your life?
Are you chasing the immediate gratification, or are you cultivating the long-term perspective?
It’s not that we need to repress every short-term joy. But here’s the truth: “overnight success” actually takes years. It comes from the little things, done consistently. Getting 1% better each day compounds into extraordinary growth.
Leadership That Lasts
Too many high-achieving executives and entrepreneurs find themselves stuck planting “annuals”—the quick wins, the daily grind—without reaping the rewards of “perennials,” those deeper investments that build long-term impact.
If that sounds like you, the good news is this: you can do it differently. With clarity, consistency, and the right guide, you can stop chasing the one-hit wonders and start cultivating a lasting legacy.
Because in life and in leadership, perennials are where the true magic happens.