I was inspecting my violets for new growth and realized that for me personally – flowers and plants rest my mind. During the last year, when anxiety could have gotten the better of me, I stayed calm and focused by counting new leaves. Everyday I inspected the plants on my balcony, on my windowsills – in their pots of all shapes – looking for growth. From little nibs on stems, to unfolding leaves, to new shoots - every little change gave me hope. 

I am happy when I am tending. I turn the plants, so they get optimal light as the sun moves on the horizon. I move them from window to window – as the seasons change. I check for brown spots, dead leaves, yellowing – adjusting how much and how often I water. I repot at just the right time to give the roots room to grow and refresh the soil.

I live for flowering. Some plants are always green, but others may flower once or twice a year. I check tight clusters of leaves looking for that first tiny shoot – a bud. I count them and wait for them to open into blooms, anticipating the flower, even surprised by them, even though I know that flowering is their future. 

Some might not notice the almost imperceptible changes in plants– but when you are looking for the changes, anticipating growth and are willing to coax them along it is the best reward. 

Marketing is like watching flowers grow. Inspection is critical - paying attention to the little things that seem to change the outcome from day to day. Sometimes the new growth is hidden. Often the reason for growth remains hidden for a time. Like plants, marketing programs need tending. All the tools in the bag need to be revisited from time to time.

Master gardeners take pride in their green thumbs; master marketers take pride in their curiosity. As we inspect the results we ask how, we ask why, why this time and not the last time? Cause and effect are not always obvious; one cause will not always have the same effect. We have to keep moving to the light, uncovering what might be hidden. No two plants behave the same; no two marketing programs yield the same result. Tending is a full-time job with many rewards.