The garden I forgot to water
Friday morning, 8:15 AM CST. Think Bigger Fridays just wrapped, and I'm sitting here with my tea, doing exactly what Hussein Cheayto just taught us to do.
He talked about nurturing your power base—the people already in your network. Not always chasing new connections. Actually watering the garden you already planted.
So I'm sending individual messages to people who showed up this morning, asking for their takeaways.
And then Tony Klassen flips it on me: "What was YOUR takeaway, Penny?"
That question stopped me cold.
Because suddenly I realized: I'm wearing two hats. And both of them are sliding sideways.
Hat #1: Facilitator Penny
I had a weak opening while people trickled in late
I let Hussein talk a bit too long (we needed more networking time)
I didn't have a strong call to action at the end
Hat #2: Business Owner Penny
I love meeting new people (my favorite part!)
I forgot to nurture the people already in my garden
I just realized: I haven't even told my entire power base what I'm doing yet
Here's the embarrassing truth: I was literally listening to Hussein Cheayto teach about nurturing your existing network—while recognizing I've been doing the exact opposite.
I love the planting. The networking. The "nice to meet you" conversations.
But watering? Weeding? Following up with the people who already said yes?
That's the work I've been skipping.
What This Means for You
If you're a business owner or leader, you probably recognize this pattern.
You're great at planting:
New clients, new initiatives, new programs, new people
You're weak at watering:
Following up, nurturing relationships, finishing strong, telling your network what you actually do
Here's what happens when leaders forget to water:
Your meetings start weak because you're "warming up" while people arrive. One person dominates the conversation because you don't want to be rude. Meetings end without a clear call to action because you ran out of time. Your team leaves unclear about next steps.
Your business development chases new opportunities while neglecting current clients. You network constantly but rarely follow up. Your own colleagues don't know the full scope of what you offer. You're so busy planting, nothing gets harvested.
The irony? The growth you're chasing is probably already in your garden. You just haven't watered it yet.
Weekly Tool You Can Use Today: The Garden Audit
Stop planting for one week. Just water what's already there.
Step 1: Name your hats
What roles are you wearing? (Facilitator? Salesperson? Manager? Trainer?)
For each hat, ask:
Where am I strong? (Probably the exciting, visible parts)
Where am I weak? (Probably the follow-through, nurturing parts)
Be honest. Write it down. Laugh if you need to—I did.
Step 2: Audit what needs watering
Make a list of everything you're neglecting:
Clients or connections you haven't followed up with
Projects you started but didn't finish strong
People in your network who don't know what you offer
Meetings that ended without clear next steps
The new things you keep chasing instead of finishing what's already planted
Look at your list honestly. If you're planting three times more than you're watering, you've got a problem.
Step 3: Water this week
This week, block time to:
Follow up with 3-5 people already in your network
Finish one thing you started but didn't close well
Tell someone in your power base what you actually do
Add a strong call to action to your next meeting
Not new stuff. Just water what's already planted.
Step 4: Fix one hat
Pick your weakest hat and fix ONE thing.
For me? Facilitator Penny needs a timer to keep speakers on track and a scripted call to action for the end.
For you, it might be:
Following up within 24 hours of meeting someone new
Ending team meetings with clear next steps assigned
Reaching out to past clients you've lost touch with
Don't try to fix everything. Just pick the one leak that's costing you the most growth.
Try This Before Next Week
Write down your two main "hats" (the roles you play in your business)
For each hat, identify where you're strong (planting) and where you're weak (watering)
This week: Stop planting new seeds. Water 3-5 relationships or projects already in your garden.
Fix ONE specific weakness in how you show up
The growth you're chasing might already be in your garden. You just haven't watered it yet.
P.S. If you're a business owner who loves planting but forgets to water—join us at Think Bigger Fridays. Every Friday at 7 AM CST online. We hold each other accountable to finishing what we start. (And yes, I'm working on my closing. You'll help me get better at it.)
DM me for the link.
Until next week,
Penny Nilsen
