Last week we talked about the first step to springing into action: Planting Seeds

Now that those seeds are in the ground, let’s talk about the second step:

Watering Those Seeds.

Back in the old days, farmers planted when they had the best chance of getting the rain to water the seeds. They depended totally on nature and had no control over it whatsoever. Fortunately for them, today they have extensive irrigation systems. During the dry season when no rain is in the forecast, they can still turn out the most beautiful sod or green vegetables.

So it is with your own life. You have at your disposal massive irrigation techniques to make sure those seeds of success you just planted get the proper nourishment. Things like:

1)   The pipe. A good irrigation system  begins with a way to get the pure life-giving water from the source to the  seeds. That’s the pipe. You also need a pipe to get the water to your success seeds. Your pipe is your Bible, this blog, mentoring by those who encourage you in your success journey. Look around you, identify and take advantage of the pipes in your life.

2)   The sprinkler. This devise makes sure the seeds are watered but not flooded. It dispenses the exact amount needed at the proper time. Imagine what the farmer’s field would look like if the 25,000 gallon water tank just poured out into the corn seeds. He wouldn’t have corn, that’s for sure. Your sprinkler is the routine you establish and maintain that keeps you moving toward your dream. It dispenses a daily dose of excitement, planning, execution and accomplishment.

3)   The timing. Any good farmer knows when the time is right to water. Some seeds need to be watered at night. Others would die if that happened. There are seeds that flourish if watered in the middle of the day, while others will be scorched. You need to determine when the best time for you to water your seeds. Are you better at night than during the day? Great. Turn off the two hundredth episode of Friends and water your dream seeds. Is your best energy in the morning? Set your clock an hour early to get your watering done before you start the rest of your day.

You need to know when you need the water. It’s different for every person and their individual dream. You need to determine which is best and make sure you get the right amount of water every day. If not every day, regularly. Otherwise your seeds will shrivel up and die and your dream will remain unlived, and that would be tragic.

So what are your success seeds you planted last week? How should you water them? Do you need a mentor? Do you need encouragement? Do you need to read a book or keep a journal so that you will be able to keep your eye on the prize while you’re waiting for the crop?

Many of you emailed me last week having planted wonderful seeds. I look forward to seeing how they produce a bumper crop. I’d love to hear from others as well. Please feel free to email me at reba@mybooktherapy.com.

Reba J. Hoffman is  the MBT Member Care Coach. She has a PhD in clinical counseling and is the  founder and president of New Hope Institute of Counseling. Reba uses her gift  of encouragement to help writers overcome negative emotions so they can live  their dream of being a writer. Her works appear in publications such as Running for the Woman’s Soul by Road  Runner Sports and The Good Fight by  Donna Hicken. She is the author of My Book Therapy’s Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal. Contact her at reba@mybooktherapy.com