In Italian, we have a saying, “seminare per coltivare,” “sow to cultivate.”
When we find ourselves in defense mode, we start fighting to survive, and on the run, we forget that we also have to heal.
“What am I chasing?” “Is it worth it?”
You planted many seeds but forgot to water the plants; some survive and grow.
Your silent discipline has brought you to the realm of harvesting.
But before you start recognizing your efforts, doubts creep in, which are necessary for your path to success. Whatever that means to you.
Now, the question is, “How do I practice responsibility and discipline?” “And what does it mean?”
For each one of us, there is a different answer.
John Peyton, a 23-year-old who recently entered the workforce as a purchaser, strikes me with one of the most challenging queries, which I frequently answered with “Just do it.”
I remember telling myself all the time, “Just do it.” But it didn’t come easy. Then I would find myself doing the work and think, “Ah, that wasn’t that bad.” But every time, I would forget that feeling of being capable of discipline, and I would have to start over as if it were the first time.
Discipline is a journey, just like life; it surprises you, but if you embrace it, it follows.
Although John doubts his discipline, what he shared with me contradicts his intrusive thoughts.
Before graduating college in 2023, he started looking for a job; it took him ten months before landing one as he battled with anxiety, depression, and doubt.
“I’m doing interviews, and then tons and tons of applications, and nobody’s responding, or people respond, and they act like they love me, then ghost me. Even though I have a marketable degree and a good resume, it’s a weird market. I’m getting fewer hits. I’m casting my line; I’m not getting any bites. So, how long it took was pretty frustrating.”
Ten months is a long time to battle one’s emotions and insecurities, a familiar battle many students face.
It’s either you sink or you swim, and the latter is what John decided to do.
“I was able to quell that by just taking up smaller, easier-to-get jobs while searching for a higher-level career job type of deal. Even right now, I’m struggling because I only just got the job, and I get paid once a month, and everything’s expensive…So, if you’re in a similar position to mine, keep going, dude. You’ll get there. If you think you’re at rock bottom, this might sound harsh, but you can always go lower.”
Harsh but true. I can’t remember all the times I found myself gasping for air and concluding, “I can breathe.”
We are stronger than what our minds tell us. When in fight or flight mode, if we choose to fight, we fight. No matter the cost, those moments are treasures for our growth.
Instead of sub coming to fear, John looked for alternative ways and, if in lack of support, said:
“Join a club, find some friends, join a Facebook group. There’s a Facebook group for everything. It’s weird. But find a support network and get in there and…and uh… don’t look for support; look for people you can give support to because that’s the best way you’re gonna get help is by giving help.”
To give is to receive. Something to keep in mind.
The same thought process goes into our planet: to nurture means to harvest.
John’s gaze into the future concerns our earth, GAIA, infected by a society that moves too fast and gives too little.
“We’re going to be completely out of fish by 2040 something. And whether or not you believe that’s true… there’s evidence to suggest that’s certainly possible. That figure is plausible if people continue participating in industrial fishing and chemical dumping the way they are now.”
“My concern is just that people won’t do that, that they won’t listen, that they won’t have an open mind about what’s going on, and that even worse…they will just accept defeat as soon as they learn about it.”
How do we communicate within the generational gap?
Should we stop highlighting the gap and look for similarities instead of concluding that we are different?
“Seminare per coltivare.”
That is where you find discipline.
Join us on our journey.
You can find John’s episode here:
The Power of Networking with Dan Graham Founder of Notley
In this episode of “Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life,” Dan Leon and Natalie are joined by Dan Graham, founder of Notley, a family office focused on philanthropic investments. Graham shares his journey from being a student in Austin to become a successful entrepreneur, explains why he dedicates himself to mentoring young minds and emerging businesses and offers his take on the power of networking.
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
If you would like to join the conversation, email us at anais@foundingup.com
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